Dugan nominated for federal judgeship in Southern Illinois
Southwestern Illinois judge David Dugan has been nominated to serve as judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth on Wednesday released the following statement after the White House announced the nomination of Dugan, as well as Iain Johnston and Franklin Valderrama to serve as judges on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois:
“We are pleased that the President nominated Judge Dugan, Judge Johnston, and Judge Valderrama to fill vacant district court judgeships in Illinois. All three nominees were carefully reviewed by nonpartisan screening committees we established to evaluate potential candidates, and we expect these nominees to be diligent, thoughtful, and principled District Court Judges. We look forward to guiding their nominations through the Senate.”
Durbin and Duckworth established screening committees to assist them in evaluating candidates for vacant federal judgeship, U.S. attorney, and U.S. marshal positions in Illinois. The task of the screening committees is to review and vet candidates for the vacancies and advise the senators regarding the candidates’ qualifications and fitness for the position.
The Southern District operates from East St. Louis and Benton.
Dugan currently serves as a circuit judge for the 3rd Judicial Circuit, Madison County. Prior to taking the bench in 2017, he was in private practice for more than 30 years, where his practice focused on personal injury and commercial litigation in both state and federal courts. Dugan previously served as an assistant states attorney for Madison County. Dugan earned his B.A. from Eastern Illinois University and his J.D. from Valparaiso University School of Law.
Johnston currently serves as a United States magistrate judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, based in Chicago. Before taking the bench in 2013, Johnston was a unit supervisor for the Office of the Illinois Attorney General and in private practice at Altheimer & Gray, Holland & Knight LLP, and Johnston Greene LLC.
Valderrama currently serves as an associate judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Before taking the bench in 2007, Valderrama was a partner at Sanchez, Daniels & Hoffman LLP, where his practice focused on trial litigation.
