Judiciary Watch

Kennedy announces retirement

Justice Kennedy announced his retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court today. Kennedy, 81 and a moderate conservative on the court, has long been considered the swing vote in many divided cases. A conservative Trump appointee would solidify the court's 5-member conservative majority. 

Senate confirms 2 to federal courts in Kentucky and Texas

The Senate yesterday confirmed Robert E. Wier to the federal bench in the Eastern District of Kentucky by a 95 to 0 vote and Fernando Rodriguez, Jr. to the Southern District of Texas by a 96 to 0 vote. Wier has been a U.S. Magistrate Judge since 2006 and prior to taking the bench was in private practice in Lexington.  Rodriguez was with the Dallas office of Baker Botts from 1998 to 2009.  Prior to taking the bench, he was a Field Office Director for the International Justice Mission in Bolivia and the Dominican Republic, helping to combat sexual abuse of children and sex trafficking.