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|Candidate =
|Candidate =
|Candidate for which court = [[United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island|District of Rhode Island]]
|Candidate for which court = [[United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island|District of Rhode Island]]
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|State =
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|Incumbency =
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|Confirmation = Hearing Date 5/13/2010, Confirmed 5/4/2011
|Confirmation = Hearing Date 5/13/2010, Confirmed 5/4/2011
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|Born = 1958
|Born = 1958
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|Gender = Male
|Home = Providence, RI
|Home = Providence, RI
|Deceased =
|Deceased =
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McConnell was nominated by [[Federal judges nominated by Barack Obama|President Obama]] on March 10, 2010 to fill a seat on the [[United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island]] vacated by [[Ernest Torres]].
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-nominations-sent-senate-31010 ''White House Press Release'' "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate", March 10, 2010]
Obama said of the nomination, "I am honored to put forward [this] highly qualified candidate for the federal bench."
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-nominates-judge-catherine-eagles-judge-kimberly-mueller-and-john-j- ''White House Press Release'' "President Obama Nominates Judge Catherine Eagles, Judge Kimberly Mueller and John J. McConnell, Jr. to the United States District Court", March 10, 2010]
McConnell was recommended for nomination by Rhode Island's Democratic senators, Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse. In a joint statement Reed and Whitehouse said, "Jack McConnell is a brilliant legal mind and an outstanding community leader. We believe he possesses the experience, intellect and temperament to be a great judge on the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island. He has gotten strong support from both sides of the aisle in Rhode Island and we hope his confirmation will proceed smoothly".
[http://www.projo.com/news/content/court_mcconnell_nomination_11mar_03-11-10_KFH_v7.398df77.html ''Providence Journal'' "Providence lawyer McConnell tapped for U.S. court seat", March 11, 2010]
McConnell was nominated by [[Federal judges nominated by Barack Obama|President Obama]] on March 10, 2010 to fill a seat on the [[United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island]] vacated by [[Ernest Torres]].
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/presidential-nominations-sent-senate-31010 ''White House Press Release'' "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate", March 10, 2010]
Obama said of the nomination, "I am honored to put forward [this] highly qualified candidate for the federal bench."
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-nominates-judge-catherine-eagles-judge-kimberly-mueller-and-john-j- ''White House Press Release'' "President Obama Nominates Judge Catherine Eagles, Judge Kimberly Mueller and John J. McConnell, Jr. to the United States District Court", March 10, 2010]
McConnell was recommended for nomination by Rhode Island's Democratic senators, Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse. In a joint statement Reed and Whitehouse said, "Jack McConnell is a brilliant legal mind and an outstanding community leader. We believe he possesses the experience, intellect and temperament to be a great judge on the U.S. District Court for Rhode Island. He has gotten strong support from both sides of the aisle in Rhode Island and we hope his confirmation will proceed smoothly".
[http://www.projo.com/news/content/court_mcconnell_nomination_11mar_03-11-10_KFH_v7.398df77.html ''Providence Journal'' "Providence lawyer McConnell tapped for U.S. court seat", March 11, 2010]
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A majority of the 15-member judicial rating committee of the [[American Bar Association]] rated McConnell "qualified", with a minority rating him "not qualified" and three members abstaining from the vote.
[http://www.projo.com/news/courts/content/mcconnell_aba_03-12-10_TAHOH3I_v10.39887b4.html ''Providence Journal'' "A mixed review for R.I. nominee", March 12, 2010]
[http://www.legalnewsline.com/news/226483-aba-says-mcconnell-qualified-for-federal-judgeship ''LegalNewsline'' "ABA says McConnell qualified for federal judgeship", April 2, 2010]
McConnell had a hearing before the [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] on May 13, 2010. You can find his [http://
judiciary
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senate
.gov/
nominations
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111thCongressJudicialNominations
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upload/JohnMcConnell
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PublicQuesitonnaire.pdf Public Questionnaire Available Here] and his [http://judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/111thCongressJudicialNominations
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upload
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JohnMcConnell
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QFRs
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pdf Questions for the Record Available Here
]. He was closely questioned about his background as an "outspoken Democrat" and plaintiff’s lawyer, and whether those things in his past would affect his impartiality on the bench. McConnell responded with a commitment "to impartiality, to fairness and to the rule of law."
[http://www.projo.com/news/content/MCCONNELL_HEARING_05-14-10_90IG37F_v11.39002e0.html ''The Providence Journal'' "Nominee to federal bench in R.I. gains ground at hearing", May 14, 2010]
Senator [[Orrin Hatch]] expressed concern over McConnell's average-to-low ratings from the [[American Bar Association]].
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A majority of the 15-member judicial rating committee of the [[American Bar Association]] rated McConnell "qualified", with a minority rating him "not qualified" and three members abstaining from the vote.
[http://www.projo.com/news/courts/content/mcconnell_aba_03-12-10_TAHOH3I_v10.39887b4.html ''Providence Journal'' "A mixed review for R.I. nominee", March 12, 2010]
[http://www.legalnewsline.com/news/226483-aba-says-mcconnell-qualified-for-federal-judgeship ''LegalNewsline'' "ABA says McConnell qualified for federal judgeship", April 2, 2010]
McConnell had a hearing before the [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] on May 13, 2010. You can find his[http://
www
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gpo
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fdsys
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pkg
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CHRG
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111shrg66693
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html
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CHRG
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111shrg66693
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htm Hearing Transcript here
]. He was closely questioned about his background as an "outspoken Democrat" and plaintiff’s lawyer, and whether those things in his past would affect his impartiality on the bench. McConnell responded with a commitment "to impartiality, to fairness and to the rule of law."
[http://www.projo.com/news/content/MCCONNELL_HEARING_05-14-10_90IG37F_v11.39002e0.html ''The Providence Journal'' "Nominee to federal bench in R.I. gains ground at hearing", May 14, 2010]
Senator [[Orrin Hatch]] expressed concern over McConnell's average-to-low ratings from the [[American Bar Association]].
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====Nomination opposition====
The United States Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, among other groups, are opposed to McConnell's nomination.
[http://townhall.com/columnists/LisaARickard/2010/05/26/mcconnell_is_unqualified_to_sit_on_the_federal_bench_in_rhode_island&Comments=true ''Townhall.com:Lisa Rickard'' "McConnell is Unqualified to Sit on the Federal Bench in Rhode Island", May 26, 2010]
They cite his career as a trial lawyer to suggest he is biased against business defendants.
[http://www.projo.com/news/content/mcconnell_confirmation_debate_05-13-10_SMIFJV_v9.3a83464.html ''The Providence Journal'' "R.I. judicial nominee haunted by business accusations of prejudice", May 13, 2010]
[http://www2.wjtv.com/jtv/ap_exchange/business/article/business-groups-oppose-ri-judicial-nominee/143311/ ''Associated Press'' "Business Groups Oppose Ri Judicial Nominee", May 11, 2010]
[http://www.projo.com/news/johnmulligan/chamber_opposes_mcconnell_05-12-10_ATIF5MJ_v11.3df039a.html ''The Providence Journal'' "Business groups oppose Rhode Islander’s nomination to federal judgeship", May 12, 2010]
Several members of the Senate Judiciary Committee were dismissive of the Chamber of Commerce's concerns, including [[Jeff Sessions]], who said "I don’t dismiss it lightly, but when you’re involved in litigation of this intensity, sometimes hard feelings can occur."
The United States Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, among other groups, are opposed to McConnell's nomination.
[http://townhall.com/columnists/LisaARickard/2010/05/26/mcconnell_is_unqualified_to_sit_on_the_federal_bench_in_rhode_island&Comments=true ''Townhall.com:Lisa Rickard'' "McConnell is Unqualified to Sit on the Federal Bench in Rhode Island", May 26, 2010]
They cite his career as a trial lawyer to suggest he is biased against business defendants.
[http://www.projo.com/news/content/mcconnell_confirmation_debate_05-13-10_SMIFJV_v9.3a83464.html ''The Providence Journal'' "R.I. judicial nominee haunted by business accusations of prejudice", May 13, 2010]
[http://www2.wjtv.com/jtv/ap_exchange/business/article/business-groups-oppose-ri-judicial-nominee/143311/ ''Associated Press'' "Business Groups Oppose Ri Judicial Nominee", May 11, 2010]
[http://www.projo.com/news/johnmulligan/chamber_opposes_mcconnell_05-12-10_ATIF5MJ_v11.3df039a.html ''The Providence Journal'' "Business groups oppose Rhode Islander’s nomination to federal judgeship", May 12, 2010]
Several members of the Senate Judiciary Committee were dismissive of the Chamber of Commerce's concerns, including [[Jeff Sessions]], who said "I don’t dismiss it lightly, but when you’re involved in litigation of this intensity, sometimes hard feelings can occur."
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====Resolution====
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On [[c2010#August|August 5, 2010]], the [[ballotpedia:U.S. Senate|Senate]] returned the nomination of McConnell to [[Federal judges nominated by Barack Obama|President Obama]], refusing to debate and offer a vote before the body adjourned for its month-long recess.
[http://judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/111thCongressJudicialNominations/Materials111thCongress.cfm#Circuit United States Senate, Committee on the Judiciary, Judicial Nomination Materials: 111th Congress]
The President renominated McConnell on [[C2010#September|September 13, 2010]]. The nomination must be reheard by the Senate Judiciary Committee before going to the full Senate for a vote.
[http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/09/ready-30.html ''The Providence Journal'', "R.I. attorney John McConnell renominated to federal judgeship," September 13, 2010]
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/13/presidential-nominations-sent-senate The White House, Press Release: "Presidential Nominations Sent to Senate," September 13, 2010]
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On [[c2010#August|August 5, 2010]], the [[ballotpedia:U.S. Senate|Senate]] returned the nomination of McConnell to [[Federal judges nominated by Barack Obama|President Obama]], refusing to debate and offer a vote before the body adjourned for its month-long recess.
[http://judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/111thCongressJudicialNominations/Materials111thCongress.cfm#Circuit United States Senate, Committee on the Judiciary, Judicial Nomination Materials: 111th Congress]
The President renominated McConnell on [[C2010#September|September 13, 2010]]. The nomination must be reheard by the Senate Judiciary Committee before going to the full Senate for a vote.
[http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/09/ready-30.html ''The Providence Journal'', "R.I. attorney John McConnell renominated to federal judgeship," September 13, 2010]
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On [[c2010#September|September 13, 2010]], President Obama again submitted McConnell's nomination to the {{BP|U.S. Senate}}.
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/13/presidential-nominations-sent-senate The White House, Press Release: "Presidential Nominations Sent to Senate," September 13, 2010]
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On [[c2010#September|September 23, 2010]], the [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] voted 13-6 to send McConnell's nomination to the {{BP|U.S. Senate}} for a vote.
[http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=4808 Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, September 23, 2010]
[http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/09/senate-judiciary-committee-rec.html ''Providence Journal:7 to 7'' "Senate panel recommends McConnell again", September 23, 2010]
On [[c2010#September|September 23, 2010]], the [[Senate Judiciary Committee]] voted 13-6 to send McConnell's nomination to the {{BP|U.S. Senate}} for a vote.
[http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing.cfm?id=4808 Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, September 23, 2010]
[http://newsblog.projo.com/2010/09/senate-judiciary-committee-rec.html ''Providence Journal:7 to 7'' "Senate panel recommends McConnell again", September 23, 2010]
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McConnell's nomination was returned to the President at the end of the 111th congress.
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McConnell's nomination was returned to the President at the end of the 111th congress. [[Barack Obama|President Obama]] resubmitted the nomination on [[c2011#January|January 5, 2011]]. McConnell was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a 50-44 vote on [[C2011#May|May 4, 2011]].
[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h1-3Vntt1f9bgQ6eMv8WQtQJqXvQ?docId=6ee7bf3e34c7434daa57efa8f44cdc39 ''The Associated Press'', "RI lawyer confirmed as US judge; GOP block fails", May 4, 2011]
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[[Barack Obama|President Obama]] resubmitted the nomination on [[c2011#January|January 5, 2011]].
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McConnell was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a 50-44 vote on [[C2011#May|May 4, 2011]].
[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h1-3Vntt1f9bgQ6eMv8WQtQJqXvQ?docId=6ee7bf3e34c7434daa57efa8f44cdc39 ''The Associated Press'', "RI lawyer confirmed as US judge; GOP block fails", May 4, 2011]
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==Awards and associations==
==Awards and associations==