Chief Justice Names Conference Committee Chairs

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has named five new chairs of Judicial Conference committees and extended the term of five current chairs by one year. The appointments took effect Oct. 1.

• Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove (Kentucky-Eastern) was extended for one year as chair of the Committee on Court Administration and Case Management.
• Judge Michael Y. Scudder (Seventh Circuit) was extended for one year as chair of the Committee on Information Technology.
• Chief Judge Stephen J. Murphy III (Michigan-Eastern) succeeded Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis (New York-Eastern) as chair of the Committee on Intercircuit Assignments.
• Judge David G. Campbell (Arizona) was extended for one year as chair of the Committee on International Judicial Relations.
• Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich (Tenth Circuit) succeeded Judge William B. Traxler, Jr., (Fourth Circuit) as chair of the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability.
• Judge Richard J. Sullivan (Second Circuit) was extended for one year as chair of the Committee on Judicial Security.
• Judge James C. Dever III (North Carolina-Eastern) succeeded Judge John D. Bates (District of Columbia) as chair of the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure.
• Bankruptcy Judge Rebecca Connelly (Virginia-Western) was extended for one year as chair of the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules.
• Judge Sarah S. Vance (Louisiana-Eastern) succeeded Judge Robin L. Rosenberg (Florida-Southern) as chair of the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules.
• Judge Michael W. Mosman (Oregon) succeeded Judge James C. Dever III (North Carolina-Eastern) as chair of the Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules.

The 26-member Judicial Conference is the policy-making body for the federal court system. By statute, the Chief Justice of the United States serves as its presiding officer and its members are the chief judges of the 13 courts of appeals, a district judge from each of the 12 geographic circuits and the chief judge of the Court of International Trade. The Conference meets twice a year to consider administrative and policy issues affecting the court system and to make recommendations to Congress concerning legislation involving the Judicial Branch.