Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie Nominated to Third Circuit Court of Appeals

On Friday, August 8, 2009, President Obama nominated Pennsylvania Middle District Federal Court Judge Thomas I. Vanaskie to serve on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Judge Vanaskie is a graduate of Lycoming College and the Dickinson School of Law. After law school, he clerked for the Honorable William J. Nealon.

After many years in private practice, he was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the Middle District 15 years ago. He went on to serve as the Chief Judge of the Middle District Federal Court from September of 1999 through August of 2006.

With the appointment of Judge Vanaskie to the Third Circuit and another Judge to the Sixth Circuit, President Obama said these two nominees "have displayed exceptional dedication to their communities through their work" and "will be diligent, judicious and esteemed additions" to the courts.

Once Judge Vanaskie secures his seat on the Third Circuit, there will then be three openings on the bench in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. It remains to be seen who will be nominated for those openings.