Federal Public Defender Kathleen Williams has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a district judge, and U.S. District Judge Adalberto Jordan in Miami was nominated to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta.

John Pacenti

2011-08-03 12:00:00 AM

It's a banner day for the federal judiciary in South Florida.

Federal Public Defender Kathleen Williams has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate as a district judge, and U.S. District Judge Adalberto Jordan in Miami was nominated to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta.

On Tuesday, Obama forwarded Jordan's name to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the Senate approved Williams on a voice vote.

Williams ran the Federal Pubic Defender's office in Miami for 16 years, making it a national model and attracting top-notch legal talent from the private sector.

Her nomination languished when Republicans sat on many of President Obama's choices for the judiciary. Her nomination also was targeted by U.S. District William Zloch, who criticised her in letters to the Senate Judiciary Committee over a case assignment decision she made. Zloch and Williams will share the same Fort Lauderdale courthouse. She replaces U.S. District Judge Daniel T.K. Hurley, who took senior status in 2009.

Jordan, who was born in Cuba, was appointed by President Clinton in 1999 and had been an occasional visiting judge on the 11th Circuit for years.

"We are all thrilled for Judge Jordan. The 11th Circuit's gain is the Southern District's loss," Miami criminal defense attorney David Markus said. "And thank goodness Kathy Williams was finally confirmed. She brings many of the same qualities to the bench as Judge Jordan — smart, hard-working and patient. This is an exciting time for the district."

First Appointee

Williams is Obama's first judicial appointee in the Southern District of Florida and the first new judge in the district since President George W. Bush named Marcia Cooke in 2004.

Williams served as a federal prosecutor in Miami before moving to the public defender's office in 1985. She took over a decade later.

Miami attorney Jane Moscowitz said Williams' experience as both a prosecutor and public defender give her a unique perspective.

"It is very valuable for a judge to understand what it is like to stand before the court at a sentencing with a real person with a real family," she said.

She noted U.S. District Chief Judge Federico Moreno formerly served as an assistant federal public defender.

Williams is the second federal public defender to reach the bench this year. The Senate confirmed Arenda L. Wright Allen of Norfolk, Virginia, as a federal judge May 11.

Moreno, who wrote Senate leaders last month encouraging them to endorse Williams and Scola, was on vacation and could not be reached comment.

Cuban-American Democrat

Jordan emigrated from Havana in 1968 when he was 6. He joined Steel Hector & Davis before becoming an assistant U.S. attorney in 1994 and was chief of the Miami's office appellate division when he was tapped by Clinton.

If confirmed, he will join some well-regarded judges from South Florida who sit on the 11th: Rosemary Barkett, Peter Fay and Stanley Marcus.

Jordan had been rumored to be the top candidate for the appellate position that opened when Judge Susan Black took senior status in February. Backers said the Cuban-American Democrat would be an ideal pick for Obama.

The Cuban American Bar Association got behind Jordan with a letter to Obama, Florida's two U.S. senators and Attorney General Eric Holder signed by 30 past presidents in their first joint effort.

"Judge Jordan has stellar academic credentials and professional experience," including clerking for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the letter stated. "Those who have had the pleasure of being before him in court are effusive in their praise of his keen legal mind and demeanor."

The group noted there was only one Hispanic judge on the 11th Circuit.

Jordan's confirmation would create a third opening in the district. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Robert Scola Jr. has been nominated to replace U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck, who has taken senior status. Three candidates are vying for the seat vacated by U.S. District Judge Alan S. Gold, who also took senior status. The finalists are Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jerald Bagley and U.S. Magistrates John O'Sullivan and Robyn Rosenbaum.

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