July 25, 2014 – Wisconsin's Federal Nominating Commission is accepting applications for a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

The opening resulted when U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Terrence T. Evans announced in 2010 that he was taking senior status. Judge Evans passed away in 2011.

U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin established the commission on April 17, 2013. The Federal Nominating Commission is charged with making recommendations for vacancies in federal judgeships and U.S. attorney positions

The commission seeks qualified candidates, including women and minority candidates, for appointment to the vacancy. The commission's application questionnaire and instructions (which are separate documents) are available in downloadable form and can be found at the commission’s website: www.wisbar.org/fnc.

Application materials must be returned no later than noon on Sept. 8, 2014.

Attorneys Michelle Behnke and Paul Swanson will continue to co- chair the commission for the Seventh Circuit judicial vacancy. Other commission members are William T. Curran, Richard Esenberg, Frederic Fleishauer and Barbara Zack Quindel.

The Federal Nominating Commission has played a role in nominating two individuals to fill vacant federal judicial seats in recent months. Sen. Baldwin and Sen. Johnson approved the nomination of James D. Peterson as judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. Peterson was confirmed by the full Senate in May.

Both Senators also approved the nomination of federal bankruptcy Judge Pamela Pepper to fill a seat on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Judge Pepper’s nomination is still pending a full vote by the Senate.

State Bar of Wisconsin President Robert R. Gagan praised Wisconsin’s Senators for continuing to move the selection process forward. “This will complete the roster of vacancies representing Wisconsin on the Federal bench,” Gagan said. “The State Bar of Wisconsin is pleased that this process has moved quickly and resulted in well qualified jurists for Wisconsin.” Gagan also thanked the members of the commission for their dedication to this important task and for their continued service on the commission.

All inquiries and correspondence regarding the Federal Nominating Commission should be directed to Lisa Roys, Public Affairs Director, State Bar of Wisconsin, P.O. Box 7158, Madison, WI 53707-7158. Roys may also be reached toll-free at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6128 or via email at lroys@wisbar.org.