WASHINGTON - Arkansas’ United States senators urged the Senate’s Judiciary Committee on Wednesday to recommend that nominee Timothy Brooks of Fayetteville be confirmed as U.S. district judge for the Western District of Arkansas.
Sen. Mark Pryor, a Democrat, said Brooks’ experience, temperament and impartiality make him an outstanding choice for the federal bench.
“[Brooks] does a lot of complicated legal representation,” Pryor said. “That experience in the courtroom - with clients, trying to work through very complicated legal issues - really will make him an outstanding federal judge.
“Tim Brooks is certainly an asset and will be an asset to the federal judiciary in Arkansas and around the country,” Pryor said.
Sen. John Boozman, a Republican, cited Brooks’ “extensive experience and impressive background,” adding, “[Brooks] is a well-experienced and highly knowledgeable attorney whose reputation is untarnished. There is no hesitance or lack of confidence to be found among his peers and clients. I strongly support his confirmation.”
Brooks, 49, earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He also briefly attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. Since 1987, he has worked for Taylor Law Partners. Originally hired as a law clerk while he was still in college, Brooks eventually was made a partner.
President Barack Obama nominated Brooks in June. The American Bar Association rated Brooks as “highly qualified” for the post.
In reply to the committee’s questionnaire for judicial nominees, Brooks said that he is not a member of any political party, but has helped co-host campaign fundraisers for numerous politicians, including Pryor, Gov. Mike Beebe, Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and state Supreme Court Justices Courtney Hudson Goodson, Paul Danielson and Jim Hannah.
While judicial nominees are often delayed or derailed because of partisan politics, Pryor and Boozman say they work together on judicial nominations. That cooperation was noted by the lawmaker who led Wednesday’s hearing.
“It’s welcome to this committee to see [Sen. Pryor] and Sen. Boozman side by side supporting this nominee, and I hope that augers for a swift and uneventful confirmation,” said U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island.
Brooks was one of five judicial nominees who appeared before the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. He shared attention with California nominees James Donato and Beth Labson Freeman, Pedro Delgado Hernandez of Puerto Rico and Robert Leon Wilkins of the District of Columbia.
By the time Brooks testified, all of the senators but one had left so they could attend a ceremony marking the 12th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
During his appearance, Brooks thanked Obama and the lawmakers who endorsed him. “We have two very good senators in our state of Arkansas, and they always put the interest of Arkansas above all else, and I appreciate their collegiality.”
Like most presidential nominees who are awaiting confirmation, Brooks didn’t answer media questions after Wednesday’s hearing. But he warmly greeted family and friends, shaking hands and posing for pictures.
Former Arkansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Bradley Jesson beamed as Brooks, his son-in-law, made his greetings.
“My daughter’s chosen well, obviously,” Jesson said. “I think he’ll be great.”
Brooks’ wife, Mary Beth Brooks, who is the president and CEO of the Bank of Fayetteville, said her husband’s presidential nomination is an honor, adding, “It’s the chance of a lifetime and his lifelong dream. It’s just great to see him get to pursue it.”
The committee didn’t take action Wednesday on Brooks’ nomination; a vote is likely when the committee meets Oct. 3, Pryor spokesman Lucy Speed said. The nomination will ultimately be up for vote in the full Senate.
Arkansas, Pages 7 on 09/12/2013