ABA Hosts Briefing for Media on Supreme Court Nominee Vetting Process

The confirmation hearing for Elena Kagan to be an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court begins June 28. The American Bar Association Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary makes a unique contribution to the vetting process by conducting an extensive, confidential peer review of the nominee’s professional competence, integrity and judicial temperament.

On June 2, Kim Askew, chair of the standing committee, will provide a briefing for members of the media regarding the ABA’s role in evaluating Supreme Court nominees.

How do members of the ABA’s standing committee keep their personal political slant out of the process? Do association policies influence standing committee evaluations? Does the standing committee strive for political, ideological, geographical, gender or other “balance” on the court? What significance does the standing committee ascribe to a nominee’s age, trial experience or other characteristics? Why does the standing committee have a unique role in the process? These and other issues will be addressed.

A question and answer period will follow Askew’s comments.

What: ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary Media Briefing
Remarks by Kim Askew, chair of the standing committee

When: June 2
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: ABA Washington Office
740 15th Street, N.W.
9th Floor

Press will also have the opportunity to meet Alicia Torres, new ABA Media Relations and Communication Services Division director.

Members of the media must RSVP to 202/662-1090, as individuals entering the building after 5 p.m. will need prior clearance for admission. Interested media representatives with questions may contact Tina Lanier of the ABA Division for Media Relations and Communication Services at tlanier@staff.abanet.org or 202/662-1792.