WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama today nominated DeKalb County state court Judge Dax Eric López to fill a federal judgeship in Atlanta.
According to the White House, López would be Georgia's first Hispanic lifetime-appointed federal judge.
López was just 34 in 2010 when he was
by Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue. Before that he was an attorney at law firms Foltz Martin LLC; Ashe, Rafuse & Hill, LLP; and Holland & Knight. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, he also clerked for a federal judge in Puerto Rico.
López must be confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate, and home-state senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue hold the power over whether the Judiciary Committee will take up López's nomination. Their initial reactions were cordial but noncommittal.
Said Perdue:
"I congratulate Judge Dax Lopez of DeKalb County on his nomination to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I look forward to meeting Judge Lopez and exploring his judicial philosophy during the confirmation process."
Added Isakson:
"I welcome the nomination and look forward to meeting with Judge López during the confirmation process."
The slot on the Northern District of Georgia bench remains unfilled after last year's battle over Judge Michael Boggs, who was blocked by Democrats because of his past views on abortion, gay rights and keeping the Confederate battle emblem on the state flag.
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