[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 14, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   Nomination of Patrick Casey Pitts

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, today, the Senate will vote to confirm 
Patrick Casey Pitts to the U.S. District Court for the Northern 
District of California. After receiving his B.A. and J.D. from Yale 
University, Mr. Pitts clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 
Ninth Circuit. Following his clerkship, Mr. Pitts joined Altshuler 
Berzon LLP, where he has spent his entire legal career. His practice 
focuses on advocating on behalf of employees--often from low-income, 
minority, and underserved communities--and unions in labor disputes. 
Mr. Pitts has extensive litigation experience, trying one case to 
judgment and litigating more than 100 matters that were resolved 
through a decision on the merits. And if confirmed, Mr. Pitts will 
bring vital demographic diversity to the Northern District of 
California as the only openly LGBTQ article III judge actively serving 
in that district. He will also bring professional diversity to the 
Federal bench as a lawyer who has defended the rights of employees and 
labor organizations.
  The American Bar Association rated Mr. Pitts ``qualified,'' and he 
has the strong support of his home State Senators: Mrs. Feinstein and 
Mr. Padilla. Mr. Pitts is a seasoned litigator whose credentials and 
experience make him an outstanding addition to the Northern District of 
California.
  I urge my colleagues to support Mr. Pitts's nomination.