Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Law Obama nominates Kris Baker for federal judgeship
Posted by Max Brantley on Wed, Nov 2, 2011 at 4:11 PM
You'll remember that this is the vacancy — the last of four on the district bench that Obama's had an opportunity to fill in Arkansas — for which the president rejected an initial batch of three nominees submitted by U.S. Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor. A new batch recommended by Sen. Pryor after Lincoln's defeat included Baker, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Duke, and Public Service Commission Chairman Colette Honorable.
Baker's firm bio shows she focuses on business litigation.
Her nomination requires Senate confirmation. With an election less than a year away, that could prove tricky. Republicans have already been slow-walking Obama judicial nominations.
UPDATE: Quicker than I thought. Nomination official and news release follows.
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, President Obama nominated Kristine Gerhard Baker to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
“I am proud to nominate Kristine Gerhard Baker to serve on the United States District Court,” said President Obama. “I am confident she will serve on the federal bench with distinction.”
Kristine Gerhard Baker: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
Kristine Gerhard Baker is a partner at the law firm Quattlebaum, Grooms, Tull & Burrow PLLC in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she specializes in commercial, employment, and First Amendment litigation. Baker joined the firm as an associate in 2000 and became a partner in 2002. She previously worked at the law firm Williams & Anderson LLP from 1998 to 2000. Baker began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Susan Webber Wright of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas from 1996 to 1998. She received her J.D. with high honors in 1996 from the University of Arkansas School of Law and her B.A. summa cum laude in 1993 from Saint Louis University.
Speaking of...
-
Whatever Obama did on gay marriage wasn't political
May 15, 2012Jon Stewart did a better job than I of highlighting the rich irony implicit in Republicans saying President Obama finally endorsed marriage equality as a political move. /more/
-
Look who's defending marriage
May 11, 2012A slow morning. But Joe Conason on President Obama's reversal on same-sex marriage bears quoting. /more/
-
Pride in a president's support for marriage rights
May 10, 2012Jay Barth, Hendrix professor and regular Arkansas Times columnist, wrote last night with a reaction to President Obama's support for same-sex marriage. /more/
-
Obama endorses same-sex marriage
May 9, 2012President Obama said today that he now supports same-sex marriage. In an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts, the president described his thought process as an “evolution” that led him to this place, based on conversations with his own staff members, openly gay and lesbian service members, and conversations with his wife and own daughters. /more/
-
Kris Baker of Little Rock confirmed for federal judgeship
May 7, 2012It took some doing, but the Senate today finally confirmed 14 pending judgeship nominations, including that of Kris Baker of Little Rock for a vacancy for a federal judgeship for the Eastern District of Arkansas. /more/
-
Obama visits Afghanistan
May 1, 2012By now, you've probably heard or read that President Obama has made a surprise visit to Afghanistan and will address the U.S. on TV tonight. /more/
-
Hawks, chicken hawks and the GOP
April 30, 2012Republican mouthpieces are up in arms that the Obama administration is trying to score political points from the killing of Osama bin Laden. /more/
-
Obama disappoints gay rights supporters on job bias
April 12, 2012President Obama has disappointed supporters of gay rights by refusing to sign an executive order prohibiting people who receive federal contracts from discriminating against gay people in employment. /more/
-
Fore! It's an open line
April 5, 2012The Thursday line commences. I close out with President Obama's support for women at Augusta National. /more/
-
Monday night line
March 12, 2012It begins. Closing out: * JUDICIAL VOTE: Glenn Sugameli, staff attorney at Judging the Environment, Defenders of Wildlife, calls my attention to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's announced intention to call a cloture vote on an effective Republican filibuster of 17 federal district judge nominations, including Kristine Baker of Little Rock. /more/
- More »
Comments (3)
Showing 1-3 of 3
Kris will be a good choice. She will serve the bench well.
Some of her relations are prominent Dems (Her f-i-l worked at Rose with Hillary) while others are prominent Republicans (Warren Stephens) so my guess is that she will neither lean far right or far left.
like
dislike
I have had cases with (i.e. against) Kris. She is smart, honorable, fair and ethical. A very good choice. I'm happy for her.
More by Author
-
State Police releases additional Petrino report
As promised, the Arkansas State Police today released further information about Troop L Capt. Lance King's response to the motorcycle wreck April 1 in which head University of Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino was involved.
- Apr 9, 2012
-
Arkansas lands on Top 10 list. Subject is ladyparts
The Jezebel website has compiled a Top 10 list on which Arkansans shouldn't be happy to appear, though elements of the ranking enjoy support, particularly among Republicans.
- Apr 18, 2012
- More »
Event Calendar
-
Re: Yarnell's scooping again; reveals flavor list
I couldn't agree more! But the flavor I love the most is Death by Chocolate!…
- on May 25, 2012
-
Re: Riverfest eve open line UPDATE
I think about this print stuff a lot and believe I see the future though…
- on May 25, 2012
-
Re: Riverfest eve open line UPDATE
It is indeed sad to see the Times-Picayune in such a reduced state. The depressing…
- on May 25, 2012
Top Commenters
Blogroll
Slideshows
-
Police close the Occupy Little Rock camp, perhaps the last Occupy encampment on public land.
Site Index
News
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / Smart Talk / The Insider / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Bob Lancaster / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
Entertainment
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Graham Gordy / Books / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / What's Cookin' / Calendar / The Televisionist / Movie Listings / Gallery Listings
This Week's Cover
Quick Links
Special Publications
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
