I'd wondered why we'd heard no rumors about candidates in Texas' Eastern and Southern District, but apparently, in the Eastern District, at least, there's a reason: "there isn't a Congressional Delegation Committee for EDTX yet because there are no Dem Congressmen in that district."
This lawyer says that Tammy Reno (no relation to Janet), is the likely frontrunner. "She's the #2 in that office now. Formerly of the NDTX office where she prosecuted coyotes and was working on the public corruption cases when she left to go to the EDTX."
The other candidate mentioned in the Eastern District is Judge Bob Wortham of Beaumont, who ironically was US Attorney under Ronald Reagan but later switched parties to run for judge.
The source adds, "because the USA is staying for now (Becky Gregory) I bet the Obama admin doesn't pick this one for a while. As a side note, this may be the only USA dist in the country headed by 2 women -- in the EDTX of all places!"
In the Southern District, the names Susan Strawn (who ran last fall as a Democrat for the Court of Criminal Appeals) and Larry Veleska were mentioned as candidates, but I'm told there are also other possible nominees out there. My source wouldn't handicap the outcome.
- Terri Moore, Dallas District Attorney Craig Watkins first assistant
- Sarah Saldana, who my source described as "smart and tough and progressive"
- Mike Snipes, an Iraqi war vet, West Point graduate, former AUSA in the Northern District
However, "the word is that Roger Williams has it locked up. No criminal experience at all. Never worked in a US Atty office. But was Ken Molberg's law partner, and is tied into some of the right (i.e. close to Doggett and Eddie Bernice Johnson) trial lawyers." This source has "heard that Roger is a capable administrator," but fears appointing someone with no criminal law experience might harm office morale.
Finally, commenters had suggested several candidates in the running for the Western District slot:
Finally, commenters had suggested several candidates in the running for the Western District slot:
- David Escamilla: Current Travis County Attorney
- Mike McCrum: Former AUSA Chief of Major Crimes and Drug Unit for over 10 years
- Michael Bernard: Current San Antonio City Attorney
- Scott Hendler: Austin-based personal injury lawyer
The comment section, as always, is open for additional rumormongering and discusson of the candidates mentioned.
The source adds, "because the USA is staying for now (Becky Gregory) I bet the Obama admin doesn't pick this one for a while. As a side note, this may be the only USA dist in the country headed by 2 women -- in the EDTX of all places!"
ReplyDeleteYes, and we like the job Ms. Gregory is doing here in East Texas. Keep the "change" somewhere else.
Just to annoy 2:59, I hope they ask William Wayne Justice to recommend one of his former clerks. :)
ReplyDeleteSomebody please tell me how being an Austin based PI lawyer qualifies one to be the US Attorney for the Westrn District of Texas. It is one of the largest Districts and offices in the US - or am I missing something?
ReplyDelete11:43 In politics, I think it's not what you know but who you know.
ReplyDeleteWhy make these changes just because the President happens to be a democrat or republican.
If the present USA is doing the job in a professional and diligent manner, why make a change; simply because because of party principles and ideology?
"Why make these changes just because the President happens to be a democrat or republican"
ReplyDeleteHow many Democrats did George Bush keep on board in those jobs? Answer: Zilch.
Live by the sword, die by the sword.
The SOuthern District could do well to have someone like Susan Strawn. She ran a hard campaighn against Tom Price. She is a rising star in the Texas Democatic Party and she will actually do some good.
ReplyDeleteIt's really immaterial to me how many Bush kept, Clinton, etc etc etc. I happen to be an Independent. Like I said 3:08, why make these changes just because the President happens to be a democrat or republican.
ReplyDelete"Live by the sword, die by thesword." That sounds like a termination of employment called retaliation.
Calling Hendler a PI lawyer from Austin is like calling Obama a law professor from Chicago. My firm has litigated against him for years in complex toxic injury litigation and he is highly respected around the country. I've followed his career for years because he is so impressive. Hendler has a national reputation for taking on cutting edge litigation. 10 or 12 years ago,k the New York Times ran a piece about one of his cases on the front page of the Sunday New York Times Business Section about a case he brought against a glue company that was consciously selling its glue to street kids somewhere in Central America. And that case became a focus in an award winning documentary a few years ago called Glue Boys. I think the company changed its practices as a result of the law suit. He also took on a case against international banana companies for sterilizing workers in developing countries and guided the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court where he won. The guy is innovative, creative and fearless. Everybody I know who has litigated with the guy around the country respects him because he's honest, fair and a straight shooter. Going after white collar criminal conduct is a lot like going after corporate misconduct--two sides of the same coin. And Hendler is as good at it as anyone. if white collar crime, environmental crimes, financial fraud against the government and public corruption are priorities, Hendler would be a strong choice. He's good at bringing lots of competing interests together to reach a common goal and he gets along well with people. He would probably come up with some intersting ways to deal with the problems in the Western District. A good friend of mine was a first assistant U.S. Attorney and he told me that the most important qualities for a good U.S.Attorney are vision, leadership and courage. If that's right, Hendler is a triple threat. I think he'd be an inspired choice.
ReplyDeleteGreat post on Hendler! If Hendler gets it may I point him in the direction of Bill Fitzgerald, chief of adult probation of Bexar County and his lying staff.
ReplyDeleteI did time in jail for a dirty drug test and have never done drugs. I saw this Officer get fired because she knew. The drug lab is being sued and still he sends us to that stupid same lab. May we please point the new US Attorney of the Westen District to Bexar Probation Boss Bill Fitzgerald. May he do more time combined than all he wrongfully incarcerated!!!!Amen
I would bet $27 million that Michael Bernard is a lock for US Atty in Western District. His brother, Jeremy, is an Obama super delegate from California who has strong ties to the White House, see http://www.laweekly.com/2008-01-31/news/obama-s-gay-gold-mine/1
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of "change" for more of the same we have seen in the past. For real "change" why not give it to the most qualified candidate. Hasn't his brother already been appointed to something for all of his contributions?
ReplyDeleteOne rumor is that AUSA Johnny Stevens is in the running.
ReplyDeleteCorrection former AUSA Johnny Stevens
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard rumors about the appointment for U.S. Marshal, Eastern Texas?
ReplyDeleteAlso - Becky Gregory has announced she is leaving the end of April.
I’m late to find this post but wow, this should be great. May not get any better…
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the largest Districts and offices in the US - or am I missing something? Personal Injury Attorney Houston
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete