Judge Wingate Confirms that Keith Ball is the New Southern District Magistrate
Last Monday I reported that Keith Ball has been selected as the new Magistrate Judge for the Southern District. I had heard the news the previous Friday from someone who was not on the Magistrate Selection Panel.
Then last Wednesday I heard that one of the Southern District Judges was telling lawyers that no announcement had been made on the selection yet.
But the Clarion-Ledger reported this morning that Judge Wingate confirmed that Keith Ball is the choice:
U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate, chief judge for the Southern District, on Monday confirmed Ball's selection.
On another note, I saw a comment on another blog that Judge Winston Kidd's name has been submitted for the vacant 5th Circuit Court of Appeals seat. I'm not sure what the person meant by "submitted", but I do not believe it to be true unless he meant that Judge Kidd was one of many potential candidates submitted to the White House for consideration.
It's my understanding that the White House is still in the vetting process and has not decided on a nominee. The slow pace of President Obama filling judicial vacancies continues to receive national attention. The White House attorneys in charge of the selection and vetting process are leaving their posts soon, which threatens to further slow the process.
Every so often I am asked my opinion of what it might mean that there has been no announcement for the vacant Southern District Court or 5th Circuit positions. I do not believe that much should be read into it. The White House is just slow in this area. I would not read anything else into it until most of the other open slots around the country are filled with ours still open.
There could be announcements soon, or not for a long time. I don't think anyone really knows which it will be.
