October 2020 Washington Letter

Federal Government

ABA testifies at Barrett’s Supreme Court nomination hearing

October 19, 2020

The Senate Judiciary Committee wrapped up its confirmation hearing for nominee Amy Coney Barrett with American Bar Associations representatives testifying on the fourth and final day on Oct. 15. Randall D. Noel of Tennessee, the chairman of the ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, and Pamela J. Roberts of South Carolina, the lead evaluator on the Standing Committee’s investigation of Judge Barrett, both testified.

Supreme Court Evaluation Process

The Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary evaluates the professional qualifications of Supreme Court Nominees on a post-nomination basis. Click here for a summary of the Committee's Supreme Court evaluation procedures.

Federal Government

New U.S. Register of Copyrights Appointed

The Librarian of Congress announced in September that Shira Perlmutter was selected as the 14th U.S. Register of Copyrights. She took office in late October. Perlmutter, formerly chief policy officer and director for International Affairs for the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office, has more than 20 years’ experience working on copyright and other intellectual property issues in a variety of public and private sector positions.

Federal Government

Judicial Security Needs Improvement

The nation has been shocked by recent attacks on a federal judge’s family and personnel guarding courthouses, and the ABA wants Congress to take action now to help prevent future violence. In an Oct. 27 letter to Congress, the ABA urged Congress to give swift consideration to proposals that would strengthen and upgrade judicial security measures for federal judges, their families, court personnel and those who enter federal courthouses.