The Senate confirmed Rudolph Contreras today as a U.S. District Court judge for the District of Columbia, becoming the second Latino to serve on D.C.'s federal district court.
Contreras, the civil division chief of the U.S. Attorney’s office in Washington since 2006, was approved by a floor voice vote this afternoon. He was nominated for the post in July by President Barack Obama after a recommendation from Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.).
Contreras, who has spent the bulk of his career in Washington, is the third of the last four heads of the office’s civil division to be tapped for a federal judgeship in Washington. The others were U.S. District Chief Judge Royce Lamberth and U.S. District Judge John Bates.
“Mr. Contreras is a gifted lawyer and manager who has already had a remarkable legal career,” Norton said. “The post that Mr. Contreras currently holds has produced two judges who currently serve on this federal court. I applaud the Senate for moving forward with his confirmation.”
Contreras was hired in 1994 to work in the U.S. Attorney’s office by then-U.S. Attorney Eric Holder Jr. He was previously an attorney at Jones Day.
The son of Cuban immigrants, Contreras’ nomination was supported by the Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia, of which he is a member. In a letter supporting his nomination earlier this year, the association noted that in addition to his lengthy career in public service, Contreras has served as a mentor for young Hispanic lawyers.
The Senate also voted this afternoon to confirm David Nuffer to be a U.S. District Court judge in Utah, and Ronnie Abrams to be a U.S. District Court judge for the Southern District of New York.
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