Senate elevates U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt to 5th Circuit

The Senate yesterday confirmed Hon. Kurt D. Engelhardt to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit by a 62-34 vote.  Engelhardt was appointed to the federal court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in 2001 by President George W. Bush.  Lawyers interviewed for the Almanac of the Federal Judiciary described him as “super super smart and thorough,” “extremely accessible,” and “brisk.”  One lawyer said, “He has had very difficult cases and he’d be great on the 5th Circuit; I give him real high marks.”