Chief Justice Names Conference Committee Chairs

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., has named five new chairs of Judicial Conference committees and extended the terms of seven current chairs by one year. The appointments are effective on Oct. 1, 2019.

• Chief Judge Kevin Michael Moore (FL-S) succeeds Bankruptcy Judge Helen E. Burris (SC) as chair of the Committee on Audits and Administrative Office Accountability
• Chief Judge Sara Darrow (IL-C) succeeds Judge Karen E. Schreier (SD) as chair of the Committee on the Administration of the Bankruptcy System.
• Chief Judge Ricardo S. Martinez (WA-W) is extended for one year as chair of the Committee on Criminal Law.
• Judge Raymond J. Lohier, Jr. (Second Circuit) is extended for one year as chair of the Committee on Defender Services.
• Judge D. Michael Fisher (Third Circuit) succeeds Judge Richard R. Clifton (Ninth Circuit) as chair of the Committee on Federal-State Jurisdiction.
• Judge Thomas M. Hardiman (Third Circuit) is extended for another year as chair of the Committee on Information Technology.
• Judge Anthony J. Scirica (Third Circuit) is extended for another year as chair of the Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability.
• Judge David G. Campbell (AZ) is extended for one year as chair of the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure.
• Judge Michael A. Chagares (Third Circuit) is extended for one year as chair of the Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules.
• Judge John D. Bates (DC) is extended for one year as chair of the Advisory Committee on Civil Rules.
• Judge Raymond M. Kethledge (Sixth Circuit) succeeds Judge Donald W. Molloy (MT) as chair of the Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules.
• Judge Jeffrey J. Helmick (OH-N) succeeds Judge Susan R. Bolton (AZ) as chair of the Committee on Space and Facilities.

The 26-member Judicial Conference is the policy-making body for the federal court system. By statute, the Chief Justice of the United States serves as its presiding officer and its members are the chief judges of the 13 courts of appeals, a district judge from each of the 12 geographic circuits, and the chief judge of the Court of International Trade. The Conference meets twice a year to consider administrative and policy issues affecting the court system, and to make recommendations to Congress concerning legislation involving the Judicial Branch.