QUOTE("The State")
Columbia man the likely nominee for U.S. 4th Circuit judge
By RICK BRUNDRETT - rbrundrett@thestate.com
Columbia attorney Steve A. MatthewsA Columbia attorney with Washington connections is President Bush’s nominee for the seat of now-retired 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge William “Billy” Wilkins of Greenville, several sources said Monday.
Although Bush has made no formal announcement, he plans to nominate Steve A. Matthews, managing director of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd — Columbia’s fourth-largest law firm — for Wilkins’ seat, several sources intimately familiar with the selection process told The State.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently interviewed at least two people who have worked with Matthews, a standard procedure before a nomination is announced, one source said.
The White House chose Matthews, 51, over S.C. Court of Appeals Judge John Kittredge of Greenville — the top choice of U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint — sources said.
More in The State
By RICK BRUNDRETT - rbrundrett@thestate.com
Columbia attorney Steve A. MatthewsA Columbia attorney with Washington connections is President Bush’s nominee for the seat of now-retired 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge William “Billy” Wilkins of Greenville, several sources said Monday.
Although Bush has made no formal announcement, he plans to nominate Steve A. Matthews, managing director of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd — Columbia’s fourth-largest law firm — for Wilkins’ seat, several sources intimately familiar with the selection process told The State.
The U.S. Department of Justice recently interviewed at least two people who have worked with Matthews, a standard procedure before a nomination is announced, one source said.
The White House chose Matthews, 51, over S.C. Court of Appeals Judge John Kittredge of Greenville — the top choice of U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint — sources said.
More in The State
I usually do not agree with Jim DeMint, but when he concurred is Lindsey Graham's reccommendtion of Judge John W Kittredge for the Fourth Circuit (link) I had to look into this, especuially after finding out that King George ignored their reccommendation to nominate Steve A. Matthews.
How do these two candidates compare:
Judge John Kittredge
Kitterege was a clerk for the current Chief Judge of the Fourth Circuit William "Billy" Wilkins.
J.D., suma cum laude from the University of South Carolina
He is a brother in Phi Beta Kappa
He is a member of the Order of the Coif
He is a member of the Order of the Wig and Robe (USC honor society - only accepts top 10% of class)
Steven A Matthews (link)
Managing Director, Haynsworth, Sinkler, Boyd, P.A.
Dewey Ballentine
U.S. Justice Department (vetting judicial nominations) Reagan administrtion
Special Counsel to Edwin Meese during Iran-Contra
Federalist Society, Member
J.D. magna cum laude Yale Law School