Hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee - Prepared Statement of Sen. Mitch McConnell, Hearing of Confirmation Hearing on john Nalbandian

Hearing

"Thank you for allowing me to join you this morning to introduce Mr. John Nalbandian, of Union, Kentucky, the president's nominee to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

"A talented appellate lawyer, Mr. Nalbandian is another fine choice by President Trump to serve on our federal courts. I am grateful for the president's leadership as we continue to ensure the judiciary fulfills its proper role in our constitutional system.

"After graduating in the top ten percent of his class from the University of Virginia School of Law, Mr. Nalbandian clerked for Judge Jerry Smith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. After his clerkship, Mr. Nalbandian worked at a prominent law firm in Washington before moving to Kentucky, where he's established himself as a leading appellate lawyer.

"His widely-acknowledged skills and even temperament have led to Mr. Nalbandian's inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America every year since 2007. And I am confident Mr. Nalbandian will excel as a judge.

"Public service is nothing new for this nominee. In 2009, then-President Obama nominated him to serve on the Board of Directors of the State Justice Institute, an organization which assists state courts in the improvement of the quality of justice. The Senate confirmed him by voice vote.

"Some of Mr. Nalbandian's colleagues on the Board have written to this committee supporting his nomination. Jonathan Lippman, the former Chief Judge of the State of New York, wrote that, "John's temperament is unflappable and composed, and he always conducts himself with dignity and respect for others.' Lippman concluded his letter, "I cannot think of a person more qualified to sit on the United States [Sixth] Circuit Court of Appeals.' The Chief Justice of Kentucky's Supreme Court wrote, "I can think of few lawyers who possess John's level of professionalism, intellect, integrity, and legal ability, and I am confident he would make an excellent addition to the federal bench.'

"The chorus of praise comes from across the political spectrum. While in Washington, Nalbandian worked alongside Thomas Goldstein, who would later serve as counsel to Vice President Al Gore in Bush v. Gore and co-found the website "SCOTUSblog.' In a letter to this committee, Goldstein wrote, "Professionally, I never had the slightest sense that John was ideologically driven. He seemed entirely balanced, conscientious, and open to all viewpoints.'

"A number of this nominee's other colleagues have also confirmed his dedication to fairness. For example, the former executive director of the local Democratic Party, wrote that Mr. Nalbandian "has the demeanor, intelligence, skills, compassion, and love for the law that our country has historically sought in its Article III judges.'

"A bipartisan group of more than 50 Kentucky attorneys have written this committee in support of his nomination. They wrote, "John has the temperament that defines a capable jurist, and the belief that one must set personal beliefs aside when interpreting the law as it is written. We have no doubt that, if confirmed, he will be an impartial arbiter of the law.'

"Mr. Nalbandian has given back to his community. He served on the Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, and currently, he serves on the board of the Greater Cincinnati Minority Counsel Program, helping to increase the presence of minority attorneys in the area.

"Mr. Nalbandian also has worked to better the legal profession. In addition to serving on the Board of the State Justice Institute, the governor of Kentucky in 2007 appointed him as a Special Justice on the Kentucky Supreme Court. Later, he served on the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, helping to select talented and impartial judges.

"Finally, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association supports Mr. Nalbandian's nomination. It notes that, if confirmed, he will be the second Asian Pacific American to sit on the Sixth Circuit and will be just the seventh active Asian Pacific American federal appellate judge nationwide.

"I am confident this committee will find Mr. Nalbandian to be intelligent, even-tempered, and eminently qualified. I am delighted to be joined by his family and friends, and I would like to thank them for being here as well.

"Thank you, once again, Mr. Chairman, for allowing me to join you to introduce this distinguished nominee. I look forward to Mr. Nalbandian's consideration by the Senate."

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