Vol. 36, Number 9—September 2004

New Appointments Announced for Judicial Conference Chairs

Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist has appointed six new chairs to head Judicial Conference committees with terms beginning October 1, 2004. He also has extended the terms of five current chairs. Committee chairs generally serve terms of three years.

Judge Gordon J. Quist (W.D. Mich.) succeeds Judge William L. Osteen, Sr. (M.D. N.C.) as chair of the Committee on Codes of Conduct. Judge Howard D. McKibben (D. Nev.) succeeds Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr., as chair of the Committee on Federal-State Jurisdiction. Judge W. Royal Furgeson Jr. (W.D. Tex.) succeeds Judge Dennis G. Jacobs (2^nd Cir.) as chair of the Committee on Judicial Resources. Judge Ralph K. Winter, Jr. (2^nd Cir.) succeeds Judge William J. Bauer (7^th Cir.) as chair of the Committee to Review Circuit Council Conduct and Disability Orders. Judge Thomas S. Zilly (W.D. Wash.) succeeds Judge A. Thomas Small (E.D. N.C.) as chair of the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules. Judge Susan C. Bucklew (M.D. Fla.) succeeds Judge Edward E. Carnes (11^th Cir.) as chair of the Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules.

Judge John W. Lungstrum (D. Kan.) has been reappointed as chair of the Committee on Court Administration for an additional year, as have Judge Mary M. Lisi (D. R.I.) as chair of the Committee on Financial Disclosure, Judge James Robertson (D.D.C.) as chair of the Committee on Information Technology, Judge Samuel A. Alito (3^rd Cir.) as chair of the Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules, and Judge Jane R. Roth (3^rd Cir.) as chair of the Committee on Security and Facilities.

By delegation from the Judicial Conference, the Chief Justice makes all appointments to Judicial Conference committees and determines tenure. He is assisted by the Judicial Conference Secretary, Leonidas Ralph Mecham.

Six years of cumulative committee service, including past committee assignments, is considered the maximum a member may serve. Every two years, the Judicial Conference Executive Secretariat surveys all judges to identify individuals who wish to serve as members of Conference committees and their preferences. Committee membership is in addition to the responsibilities a judge carries as a member of his or her court. Judicial Conference committees review issues within their established jurisdictions and make policy recommendations to the Conference.