The Enlightenment

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Welcome to The Judiciary at Noon. Take a break from work to get an update on the oft-neglected third branch of the United States government, the judicial branch.

The series covers any updates to the federal judiciary, including any new judges confirmed, any deaths, resignations, or retirements from the courts, and any new vacancies that have occurred. It includes political analysis at the very end. All information spans the previous week.

Confirmations

No judges were confirmed for the week spanning January 10 to January 16, 2025.

Vacancies

Federal

• Jan. 10, 2025: Chief Judge William Paul Johnson of the District of New Mexico assumed senior status, opening up a vacancy on the court that will be filled by his appointed successor, Sarah Morgan Davenport.
• Jan. 12, 2025: Judge Jeffrey Alker Meyer of the District of Connecticut died in active service, opening up a vacancy on the court.
• Jan. 15, 2025: Judge Kent Amos Jordan of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals retired, opening up a vacancy on the court.

47 vacancies remain on the federal judiciary, an increase from 46 a week ago.

District of Columbia

Jan. 11, 2025: Judge Anthony Charles Epstein of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia assumed senior status, opening up a vacancy on the court.

Retirements, Deaths, and Resignations

• Jan. 11, 2025: Senior Judge Peter Jo Messitte of the District of Maryland died at the age of 83. He had been a Clinton appointee.
• Jan. 12, 2025: Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer of the District of Connecticut died at the age of 61. He had been an Obama appointee.
• Jan. 12, 2025: Senior Judge Malcolm Jones Howard of the Eastern District of North Carolina died at the age of 85. He had been a Reagan appointee.
• Jan. 15, 2025: Judge Kent A. Jordan of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals retired at the age of 67. He had been a Bush appointee.

Other

Judges Seated

• Jan. 13, 2025: Sarah Morgan Davenport received her commission to serve as a Judge of the District of New Mexico.

Chief Judges

• Jan. 10, 2025: Judge Kenneth John Gonzales, an Obama appointee, became Chief Judge of the District of New Mexico. He is succeeding Judge William P. Johnson, a Bush appointee.

Analysis

Like I said two weeks ago, the question of judicial appointments is not the priority in D.C. right now, and judicial appointments will not be the priority for a few more months. Right now all eyes are on the Cabinet appointments of Trump. Sparks are flying at confirmation hearings.

There is a vacancy in the District of Connecticut following the unexpected and sudden death of Judge Jeffrey Meyer. Trump may be able to nominate his second appointment to the District of Connecticut following Judge Meyer’s sudden passing.

Judge Jordan of the Third Circuit retired this past week. Court watchers are still unsure why Biden never nominated a replacement for Judge Jordan. He had declared his intent to retire many months ago, and even though Jordan is a judge in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden’s home state, Biden never put forward a nominee for his seat.

It is interesting to note the irregular reporting of judicial vacancies on the United States Courts official website. As of my writing this, Judge Valerie Caproni and Jeffrey Meyer are not listed as vacancies. Caproni never announced her intent to take senior status in advance. I don’t understand; if I, a college senior can accurately report on vacancies in the federal judiciary, why can’t the US government?

If it were up to me I’d make sure that judges have to report their moves to senior status or intent to retire. I’d also make sure that vacancies are actually reported on in a timely fashion.

SIGN-OFF

That’s it for this week’s The Judiciary at Noon. This has been Anthony Myrlados.