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Civic Register
| 8.15.18

Know a Nominee: Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr. to the Fourth Circuit

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Update 8/16: The Senate confirmed Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr. to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on a 62-28 vote. He'll receive his judicial commission for that role and take his seat on the bench once Judge Traxler's transition to senior status takes effect on August 31.

Update 8/15: The Senate voted 61-28 to invoke cloture (ie limit debate) on Judge Quattlebaum's nomination Wednesday, and a confirmation vote is expected Thursday.

The Senate will take a procedural vote Wednesday to limit debate on the nomination of Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr. to the Fourth Circuit ― which could set up a confirmation vote as early as Thursday or next week if it succeeds.

Who is he?

  • Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr., 53, is currently the U.S. District Judge for the District of South Carolina, having assumed his place on the bench in March 2018.
  • Prior to his appointment as a federal judge, Quattlebaum was a trial lawyer focused on complex civil litigation in federal courts and served as the president of the South Carolina Bar.

What’s the outlook for his nomination?

  • This would be the second time this year the Senate voted on Quattlebaum’s confirmation.
  • His nomination to the South Carolina district court passed out of committee on a voice vote, and he was confirmed on a 69-28 vote in February 2018.
  • Previous opposition to his nomination was in protest of the Senate’s failure to advance the nominations of two black judges for that judgeship in 2013 and 2016.
  • His nomination to the Fourth Circuit was advanced by the Judiciary Committee on a 15-6 vote.

What does it mean for the Fourth Circuit?

  • Quattlebaum’s confirmation would fill an upcoming vacancy on the 15-judge Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that will occur when Judge William Traxler, Jr. (appointed by Clinton) assumes senior status at the end of August 2018.
  • Of the 14 other judges currently composing the court, six were appointed by Barack Obama, two by George W. Bush, four by Bill Clinton, along with one each by George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.

Tell your senators whether they should support or oppose A. Marvin Quattlebaum’s nomination and share your thoughts below!

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock / imaginima)