By Dan Horn
The Cincinnati Enquirer
New judges on the 6th Circuit Court:
Julia Smith Gibbons, 52, U.S. District Court judge for Western District of Tennessee from 1983-2002 (chief judge there from 1994-2000). Formerly was judge of Tennessee Circuit Court for 15th Judicial Circuit and, before that, a legal adviser to Tennessee's governor. A moderate who faced little opposition from Democrat-controlled Senate. University of Virginia law school graduate. Nominated in October 2001, confirmed in 2002, has joined the court.
John Rogers, 54, former University of Kentucky law school professor. Earlier was appellate lawyer and a visiting professor in the Civil Division of U.S. Department of Justice. Stanford University graduate, 28-year veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve and Kentucky Army National Guard, and a moderate who faced little opposition from the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Nominees to the 6th Circuit:
Deborah L. Cook, 50, member of the Ohio Supreme Court. Previously a state appeals court judge and a lawyer with several Ohio firms. University of Akron law school graduate. Has voted consistently with the conservative block on the state Supreme Court. Nominated in May 2001. Awaiting Senate confirmation.
Richard Allen Griffin, 50, judge of the Michigan Court of Appeals since 1988. Previously a trial attorney with Read & Griffin in Traverse City, Mich., and a court-appointed mediator. Never accepted contributions from political action committees in any election bids. University of Michigan law school graduate.
Nominated in June 2002.
David W. McKeague, 56, U.S. District Court judge for Western District of Michigan since 1992. Previously an attorney in Lansing, Mich. University of Michigan law school graduate and former counsel for Michigan Republican Party who has played key roles in Junior Achievement and for a science museum in Michigan.
Nominated in November 2001.
Susan Bieke Neilson, age not released, judge for the 3rd Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan (Wayne County) since 1991 who currently works in the civil division. Previously attorney with Dickinson, Wright PLLC of Michigan, specializing in product liability, negligence and medical malpractice cases. Wayne State University law school graduate; active in Catholic Lawyers Society and Soroptimist International.
Nominated in November 2001.
Henry W. Saad, 54, Michigan Court of Appeals judge since 1994 and legal ethics instructor at Wayne State University law school. Previously an attorney with Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman in Michigan, specializing in employment and media law. Wayne State University law school graduate.
Nominated in November 2001.
Jeffrey S. Sutton, 42, Previously a prominent attorney with Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue in Columbus and adjunct professor of law at Ohio State University College of Law. Has argued several major cases before U.S. Supreme Court, most often arguing in favor of states' rights over federal regulations. Was a state solicitor from 1995-1998. Ohio State University law school graduate.
Nominated in May 2001.
