[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                 Nomination of Michelle Williams Court

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, today the Senate will vote to confirm 
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michelle Court to the U.S. 
District Court for the Central District of California.
  Judge Court's extensive career as a litigator for nearly two decades 
combined with her experience as a California State court judge have 
prepared her to serve on the Federal bench.
  After graduating from Pomona College and Loyola Law School, Judge 
Court worked as an Associate at Gilbert, Kelly, Crowley & Jennett. She 
then worked as an attorney at the ACLU of Southern California before 
continuing her career in private practice as an Associate at Litt & 
Marquez and Milberg, Weiss, Bershad Hynes & Lerach.
  Prior to taking the bench, Judge Court served in several roles at Bet 
Tzedek Legal Services: as a deputy director of litigation, as the 
director of litigation, and as the vice president and general counsel. 
At this organization, she provided legal services to low-income, 
elderly, and disabled clients and supervised more than 30 staff 
attorneys and advocates.
  Since 2012, Judge Court has served as a judge on the civil division 
of the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles, where she has 
presided over approximately 200 civil trials and ruled on 12,000 
motions and requests.
  Judge Court has the strong support of her home State Senators, Ms. 
Butler and Mr. Padilla. In addition, she was rated unanimously ``well 
qualified'' by the American Bar Association.
  Judge Court's deep ties to the California legal community, combined 
with her courtroom experience both on and off the bench, will ensure 
that she serves on the Central District of California with distinction.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting her nomination.