Senate Confirms Christopher Droney for Second Circuit
Congress was back to business on Monday following the Thanksgiving break. The Senate unanimously confirmed Judge Christopher Droney for the Second Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday in an 88-0 vote.
Droney, who was nominated in May, will fill Judge Guido Calabresi’s seat. The American Bar Association rated him as “well-qualified” for the seat.
Droney's confirmation vote was part of a bipartisan deal to bring at least five judicial nominees to a full floor vote after the Thanksgiving break. The other four nominees, who will serve on district courts, will face votes on or after December 5, reports Thomson Reuters News & Insight.
Droney holds degrees from Holy Cross ('76) and the University of Connecticut School of Law (JD, '79). He was in private practice in Connecticut from 1979 to 1993, working at Day, Berry & Howard, (now Day Pitney LLC), Aetna Life & Casualty, Buckley & Santos (now Buckley & Seeley, PC), and Reid and Riege.
Droney served as Mayor of West Hartford from 1985 to 1989, and was unanimously confirmed the District Court for the District of Connecticut in 1997.
Connecticut Congressman John Larson, who represents Judge Droney's West Hartford District, supported the nomination, noting that Droney's "fairness and impartiality, combined with his incredible intellect and deep understanding of the law is known and acknowledged throughout every corner of our state."
Droney also had support from state officials. Governor Dannel Malloy called him "an exceptional jurist" while state Attorney General George Jepsen said he exhibited "the qualities you want in a judge," reports The Hartford Courant.
Once Judge Christopher Droney is sworn into the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, the circuit will be fully staffed.
Related Resources:
- FindLaw's Second Circuit blog (FindLaw)
- On the Nomination: Confirmation Christopher Droney (Open Congress)
- Senate Approves Susan Carney for Second Circuit Court of Appeals (FindLaw's Second Circuit blog)