2 area [Detroit] judges are likely nominees for federal court

President Barack Obama is strongly considering nominating two metro Detroit circuit court judges to Detroit's federal bench by early fall.

Mark Goldsmith of Oakland County Circuit Court and David Allen of Wayne County Circuit Court were recommended for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District by Michigan's Democratic senators, Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin. The judges have been undergoing routine background checks by the U.S. Department of Justice.

"At this point, we're just waiting for the White House to act," said Tara Andringa, a spokeswoman for Levin's office. The judgeships are lifetime appointments.

The recommendations have been widely praised by those in the legal community, as well as metro Detroit Jewish and Arab-American leaders. Goldsmith is a member of Young Israel of Oak Park and a participant in Partners in Torah, a Jewish learning organization. Allen, who is of Lebanese descent, has been honored in recent years by Arab-American organizations for his community activities.

http://www.freep.com/article/20090726/NEWS05/907260456/1001/rss01



Wayne County Circuit Court Judge David Allen, 43 years old, swearing in a county official.
Recommended by MI Senators for nomination to Michigan's U.S. District Court for the Eastern District.

"In 2007, Allen was awarded the Champion of Justice citation by the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee, in part for his upholding of civil rights in his rulings and the way he conducts his courtroom."
http://www.freep.com/article/20090726/NEWS05/907260458/1007



Oakland County Circuit Judge Mark Goldsmith, 56 years old.
Recommended by MI Senators for nomination to Michigan's U.S. District Court for the Eastern District.

"A former magistrate of the 45-B District Court, Judge Goldsmith was appointed to the Oakland County Circuit Court in March 2004. He was also a former special counsel to the State Bar of Michigan's Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law. Judge Goldsmith is an adjunct instructor at Wayne State Law School and a cofounder of Circle of Friends (teaching language and acculturation skills to immigrants). He is also the secretary and pro-bono chairperson of the Federal Bar Association, E.D. of Michigan Chapter and a hearing panelist on the Attorney Discipline Board. Judge Goldsmith is the author of "Federal Opinion Notes - Eastern District," in the Michigan Bar Journal. In addition, Judge Goldsmith has been active in the community, most notably in the Jewish Welfare Federation, the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation League, and Forgotten Harvest."
http://www.clas.wayne.edu/unit-inner.asp?WebPageID=1060
http://www.oakgov.com/circuit/judges/goldsmith-mark-pro.html


Senator Levin and Stabenow's joint release:
http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=314560

has been doing, was hired to do, he doesn't get enough kudos for it, and I like it.

Thank you.

was just nominated to be the new Ambassador to The Netherlands.

She and I are old pals. Her daughter is my godchild....................