Judging the Judges
Q & A with Randy Noel, Esq. Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary HARRISON D. MCIVER III, Interviewer
T
he most recent U.S. Senate confirmation process resulting in the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett provides a unique opportunity for the Memphis Bar Association (MBA) readership to better understand the American Bar Association’s role in the process. Fortunately, the Chair of the ABA‘s Standing Committee on the Judiciary is Memphis’ own Randy Noel, a partner in the law firm of Butler Snow LLP, who will describe that role herein. As a member of the Publications Committee, I welcomed the opportunity to conduct this interview. I have known Randy since my arrival in Memphis to lead Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc. (MALS). Over the years I have witnessed Randy’s engagement in the Memphis, Shelby County community and in bar associations at all levels, especially the ABA, including as a member of the ABA House of Delegates and Board of Governors. He also served as President of the Tennessee Bar Association and the Tennessee Council of Judicial Appointments. Not surprising, he is truly committed to the rule of law and access to justice. That has taken on
several forms. I will share two examples based upon my personal experience. The first example came during the ABA Presidents’ annual visits to Memphis to speak to the Rotary Club of Memphis at the invitation of the late Shep Tate. (Shep was a former ABA President and an icon in the legal community). Randy and I worked together to ensure that the visits to Memphis were more than speaking to Rotary Clubs, but also afforded meetings with the Editorial Board of The Commercial Appeal, visits to the National Civil Rights Museum, engagement with law students at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, and spending meaningful time with the MALS staff. Their remarks and words of encouragement were very inspirational to my staff. In the second example, Randy served as the Chair of MALS’ Campaign for Equal Justice to raise resources to support justice for those in need. He created the “Difference Maker” giving category to recognize law firms and legal departments for financially supporting MALS at one of the highest levels.
With the foregoing introduction, now the INTERVIEW: HDM: What is the role of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary? RN: The Standing Committee conducts a comprehensive, independent peer evaluation of the competency, integrity and judicial temperament of every Article III (district, circuit and Supreme Court) and IV (territorial courts) for nominees to the federal bench. That evaluation is done under strict confidentiality to ensure candid opinions from the peers who know the nominee best. Those interviewed include law partners, judges before
whom the nominee has appeared, opposing counsel, bar leaders, and others in the legal community with first-hand knowledge. The work of this Committee is fire-walled from the rest of the American Bar Association (ABA), including its officers and board members. They have no say in the evaluation and have no specific knowledge of our work and deliberations. HDM: How did you become involved in the Committee? RN: I served on the Committee under an appointment from then ABA President Dennis Archer of Michigan 7
