U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Calls for Swift Senate Action on 7th Circuit Court Nomination of Don Schott
Longest-standing federal court vacancy in the country nearly six years old
Nominee earned bipartisan support from Wisconsin Judicial Commission established by Senators Baldwin and Johnson
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin today announced her support for the nomination of Don Schott to represent Wisconsin on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Baldwin also called for swift action by the Senate to confirm Schott and end the longest-standing federal court vacancy in the country, which is nearly six years old.
Schott earned bipartisan support from the Wisconsin Federal Nominating Commission and was one of only two applicants who received the requisite support of five commissioners. Senator Baldwin and Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson each selected three commissioners and required that any nominee have the support of at least five commissioners.
“This vacancy on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals is now nearly six years old and Wisconsin deserves to be fully represented on the court instead of having an empty seat. Don Schott earned bipartisan support from Wisconsin Federal Nominating Commission, including from my commissioners and Senator Johnson’s,” said Senator Baldwin. “Don Schott will be an outstanding Federal Judge and his experience, qualifications and expertise will serve Wisconsin’s proud tradition of a strong and independent judiciary well.”
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has had a vacancy since January 2010, three years prior to Senator Baldwin taking office. Today marks 2,196 days that Wisconsin’s seat on the court has had a vacancy.
“It is past time to put an end to the longest-standing federal court vacancy in the country. I believe it is important that the Senate take swift action to confirm Don Schott and put him in place to serve Wisconsin on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals,” Senator Baldwin said.
Background
Donald K. Schott is a partner in the Madison, Wisconsin office of Quarles & Brady LLP. He has extensive litigation experience at the state and federal trial court and appellate levels.
Schott was born in Lynwood, California and raised in Port Edwards, Wisconsin. He received his B.S. in 1977 from the University of Wisconsin—Madison and his J.D. cum laude in 1980 from Harvard Law School. After graduating from law school, Schott worked as an associate in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin office of Quarles & Brady LLP. From 1983 to 1985, he worked as the Legislative Liaison for the Office of the Governor, before returning to Quarles & Brady LLP in their Madison, Wisconsin office as an associate in 1985. Schott became a partner with the firm in 1987.
During his legal career, Schott has represented a number of clients in cases involving a wide range of legal issues, including securities regulation, corporate governance, health care, and environmental disputes. Schott serves on his firm’s Executive Committee and is the former managing partner of the Madison, Wisconsin office. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.
