NCJW Calls on Senate to Confirm Caitlin Halligan
December 1, 2011, Washington, DC — The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today called upon the US Senate to confirm Caitlin Halligan for a seat on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. NCJW President Linda Slucker and NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman released the following statement:
“Caitlin Halligan is exceedingly well-qualified to be a member of the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. NCJW believes that she brings a depth of understanding of the law from her diverse legal experiences and would add much-needed diversity to the court. If confirmed, she would be only the sixth woman to serve on the DC Circuit in its 118 year history.
“Currently General Counsel to the New York County District Attorney’s office, Halligan has a broad range of legal experience as a public servant. She has been Solicitor General of the State of New York, and served as counsel of record in more than 50 cases before the Supreme Court, of which she has argued five. She has had a successful private practice and has served on the faculties of Georgetown University Law Center and Columbia Law School.
“Halligan has excelled in every phase of her career as evidenced by the unanimous ‘well-qualified’ rating she received from the American Bar Association. She is supported by a bipartisan group of more than 20 prominent appellate practitioners, former Supreme Court clerks, and numerous organizations, including the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia and the US Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
“Though there are three vacancies on the DC Circuit, this superb nominee has waited more than a year to be confirmed. The people who are served by this court cannot afford to wait any longer. NCJW urges the Senate to vote for cloture without delay and to confirm her to the DC Circuit Court.”
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact: Emily Alfano
202 296 2588 × 5; emily@ncjwdc.org