U.S. Senator John Kerry has selected Ropes & Gray partner and former BBA president Joan Lukey to head a judicial committee to help fill two pending federal court vacancies in Massachusetts.
Ms. Lukey will chair the judicial selection committee that will identify candidates for federal court judgeships in Worcester and Springfield, Massachusetts. In his role, Senator Kerry names the chairman, a duty previously held by the late Ted Kennedy. The committee will submit candidates to Senator Kerry, who will in turn submit a nominee to President Obama for consideration. Ultimately, confirmation of federal judges is the role of the U.S. Senate.
"Joan Lukey's expertise, reputation for absolute professionalism, and her wide range of legal experience make her an ideal candidate to lead this committee," Senator Kerry said in announcing the appointment.
"Under Joan's leadership, we will bring together the best legal minds from the community, particularly those from central and western Massachusetts, to ensure a diversity of voices to help find the next great judges for Springfield and Worcester."
Based in Ropes & Gray's Boston office, Ms. Lukey is a partner in the litigation department focusing on complex business litigation.