Washington, D.C. - Following the announcement of President Obama's nomination of Judge Susan P. Baxter, Judge Robert J. Colville, and Judge Marilyn J. Horan to the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Judge John M. Younge to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) released the following statements:
“The nominees announced today by President Obama are highly skilled legal professionals who will bring fairness and integrity to their work on the federal bench,” Senator Casey said. “Judge Baxter has earned a sterling reputation as an excellent jurist during her two decades as a Federal Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge Robert Colville has served on the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County with distinction for the last fifteen years. Judge Marilyn Horan has spent her legal career serving the people of Western Pennsylvania and will do excellent work on the federal bench in the Western District of Pennsylvania. Judge Younge has built a long record as one of Philadelphia’s most respected Common Pleas Court judges and now has the opportunity to continue his work on the federal bench. I appreciated working with Senator Toomey in a bipartisan fashion to recommend these individuals to the White House. Over the last years, Senator Toomey and I have successfully completed the nominations and confirmation of 14 Federal District Court judges in Pennsylvania. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Toomey to recommend highly qualified individuals for the federal bench.”
"I am pleased that President Obama will nominate Judge Susan P. Baxter, Judge Robert J. Colville, Judge Marilyn J. Horan, and Judge John M. Younge to serve on the federal district court in Pennsylvania," said Senator Toomey. "These nominees possess a wealth of legal experience from their work in both the public and private sectors. I am confident that they have the acumen, integrity, and respect for the limited role of the judiciary that they need to excel as federal judges. Moreover, today is especially good news for Erie since the city’s federal courthouse will have a sitting judge for the first time in 2 years. As we have done over the years, I look forward to working with Senator Casey on a bipartisan basis to have these outstanding nominees confirmed by the Senate."
Since Senator Toomey joined the Senate in 2011, Senators Casey and Toomey have worked together, in a bipartisan fashion, to fill vacancies on the federal bench in Pennsylvania. Together, they have vetted, recommended, and confirmed 14 Federal District Court Judges and one Circuit Court Judge for Pennsylvania — more than every state but California and New York during this time.
Judge Susan Paradise Baxter: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Judge Susan Paradise Baxter has served as United States Magistrate Judge in the Western District of Pennsylvania from 1995 to the present, serving as Chief Magistrate Judge from 2005 to 2009. Prior to her appointment as a Magistrate Judge, Judge Baxter worked as the Court Solicitor for the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, was a partner at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Cole, Raywid & Braverman (now Davis Wright Tremaine LLP). Judge Baxter received her J.D. from Temple University School of Law in 1983, a M.Ed. from Temple University in 1980, and a B.S. from Pennsylvania State University in 1978.
Judge Robert John Colville: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Judge Robert John Colville has served as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County since 2000. Judge Colville currently presides over civil matters. Since 2012, he has also served as a judge on the Pennsylvania Court of Judicial Discipline. Previously, Judge Colville worked as an associate at the law firm of Pietragallo Bosick & Gordon in Pittsburgh. He began his legal career by serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Ralph J. Cappy, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Judge Colville received his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 1992, and his B.A. from Pennsylvania State University in 1989.
Judge Marilyn Jean Horan: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
Judge Marilyn Jean Horan has been a judge on the Court of Common Pleas for Butler County since 1996. Judge Horan currently serves in the civil division. During her tenure on the bench, Judge Horan has also presided over criminal and family law cases. Previously, from 1979 to 1996, Judge Horan worked at the law firm of Murrin, Taylor, Flach & Horan, where she was elevated to partner in 1982. Judge Horan received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1979, and her B.A. magna cum laude from Pennsylvania State University in 1976.
Judge John Milton Younge: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Judge John Milton Younge has been a Judge on the Court of Common Pleas for the First Judicial Circuit of Pennsylvania since 1996. Judge Younge has extensive experience presiding over both criminal and civil cases. From 1985 to 1995, Judge Younge worked at the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, serving as Deputy Executive Director and subsequently as General Counsel. He began his legal career as a solo practitioner in Philadelphia. Judge Younge received his M.J.S. in 2011, from the University of Nevada, Reno, his J.D. in 1981 from Howard University School of Law, and his B.S. in 1977 from Boston University.
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