Halil Ozerden

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Halil Ozerden
Image of Halil Ozerden

Nonpartisan

United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
Tenure

2007 - Present

Years in position

17

Education

Bachelor's

Georgetown University, 1989

Law

Stanford Law School, 1998

Personal
Birthplace
Hattiesburg, Miss.


Halil Suleyman Ozerden is the chief judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. He joined the court in 2007 after being nominated by President George W. Bush (R). In 2024, Ozerden became the chief judge of the court.[1]

On June 24, 2019, President Donald Trump (R) nominated Ozerden to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.[2] Ozerden's nomination was returned to the president at the sine die adjournment of the U.S. Senate on January 3, 2020.[3] Click here for more information on Ozerden's federal judicial nomination.

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi is one of 94 U.S. District Courts. They are the general trial courts of the United States federal courts.

The United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit is one of 13 U.S. courts of appeal. They are the intermediate appellate courts of the United States federal courts. To learn more about the courts, click here.

Judicial nominations and appointments

United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit

See also: Federal judges nominated by Donald Trump

On June 24, 2019, President Donald Trump (R) nominated Ozerden to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.[2] Ozerden became chief judge of the court in 2024.[1] To read more about the federal nominations process, click here.

Nomination Tracker
Fedbadgesmall.png
Nominee Information
Name: Halil Suleyman Ozerden
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
Progress
Returned 193 days after nomination.
ApprovedANominated: June 24, 2019
ApprovedAABA Rating: Substantial majority well qualified / Minority qualified
Questionnaire: Questionnaire
ApprovedAHearing: July 17, 2019
QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more)
DefeatedAReported:  
DefeatedAConfirmed:
DefeatedAReturned: January 3, 2020

Opposition to Ozerden's nomination

Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) expressed opposition to Ozerden's nomination.

Cruz informed the White House of his opposition in September. Cruz told Politico, "For a lifetime appointment on the court of appeals, I believe we should be looking for someone with a strong, demonstrated record as a constitutionalist. I have significant concerns that Judge Ozerden’s judicial record does not indicate that he meets that standard. For that reason, I do not believe he should be on the court of appeals, and I will oppose his nomination."[4]

Sen. Hawley privately informed his colleagues on September 24, 2019, that he opposed Ozerden's nomination.[5]

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said he thought the nomination was "an excellent choice. I think he would be a solid member of the conservative majority and the conservative movement."[6]

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing

The Senate Judiciary Committee held hearings on Ozerden's nomination on July 17, 2019.[7]

The committee announced it removed Ozerden's nomination from a planned vote at the White House's request. The vote was planned for November 14, 2019. As of November 13, the committee had delayed a vote to advance Ozerden's nomination four times.[8]

Nomination

On June 11, 2019, President Donald Trump (R) announced his intent to nominate Ozerden to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.[9] The president officially nominated Ozerden on June 24, 2019.[2] Ozerden was nominated to succeed Judge Grady Jolly, who assumed senior status on October 3, 2017.[10]

Ozerden's nominated was returned to the president at the sine die adjournment of the U.S. Senate on January 3, 2020.[3]

Mississippi Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) and Roger Wicker (R) supported Ozerden's nomination.[10]

Wicker said in a statement, Ozerden's "judicial and academic achievements alone qualify him for this position. But his good character, experience as a Navy fighter pilot, and record of volunteerism and community involvement also are exemplary. His service will benefit the court and the people of the United States for many years to come."[10]

Hyde-Smith said, "Judge Ozerden has established a strong record on the bench, and I think President Trump’s nomination of him is consistent with his intent to place conservative jurists on the federal judiciary. Judge Ozerden’s experience and life story make him ideal for the Court of Appeals."[10]

The American Bar Association rated Ozerden well qualified by a substantial majority and qualified by a minority.[11] To read more about ABA ratings, click here.

United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi (2007-present)

See also: Federal judges nominated by George W. Bush

President George W. Bush (R) nominated Ozerden to a seat on the Southern District of Mississippi on September 5, 2006. Ozerden was confirmed on a recorded 95-0 vote of the U.S. Senate on April 24, 2007. To read more about the federal nominations process, click here.


Confirmation vote

The U.S. Senate confirmed Ozerden on April 24, 2007, on a vote of 95-0. To see a full breakdown of the vote on the official U.S. Senate website, click here.

Halil Ozerden confirmation vote (April 24, 2007)
Party Yea Nay No vote
Electiondot.png Democratic 46 0 3
Ends.png Republican 47 0 2
Grey.png Independent 2 0 0
Total 95 0 5

Senate Judiciary Committee hearing

Hearings on Ozerden's nomination were held before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 13, 2007, and Ozerden's nomination was reported by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on April 12, 2007.[12]

Nomination

Ozerden was first nominated by President George W. Bush (R) on September 5, 2006, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi vacated by David Bramlette.[13]

Under provisions of Rule XXXI, paragraph six of the standing rules of the Senate, Ozerden's nomination was returned to the president on December 9, 2006. President Bush resubmitted the nomination on January 9, 2007.[12]

The American Bar Association unanimously rated Ozerden qualified for the nomination.[14]

Early life and education

A native of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Ozerden graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University with his bachelor's degree in 1989 and from Stanford Law School with his J.D. in 1998. During his legal studies, Ozerden served as an associate editor of the Stanford Law Review.[9][1]

Military service

Ozerden served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy from 1989 to 1995.[1]

Professional career

About the court

5th Circuit Court of Appeals

The Fifth Circuit has appellate jurisdiction over cases heard in one of its subsidiary districts. These cases can include civil and criminal matters that fall under federal law. Appeals of rulings by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals are petitioned to the Supreme Court of the United States. Justice Clarence Thomas is the circuit justice for the Fifth Circuit.

The United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit has appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:

To read opinions published by this court, click here.

Southern District of Mississippi

Southern District of Mississippi
Fifth Circuit
Southern District of Mississippi-seal.png
Judgeships
Posts: 6
Judges: 6
Vacancies: 0
Judges
Chief: Halil Ozerden
Active judges: Kristi Haskins Johnson, Daniel Jordan, Taylor McNeel, Halil Ozerden, Carlton W. Reeves, Henry Wingate

Senior judges:
David Bramlette, Louis Guirola, Tom Lee, Keith Starrett


The United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi is one of 94 United States district courts. When decisions of the court are appealed, they are appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit based in downtown New Orleans at the John Minor Wisdom Federal Courthouse.

The Southern District of Mississippi has six authorized judicial posts. The chief judge of the court is Daniel Jordan, who was appointed by George W. Bush (R). Two judges on the court were appointed by Donald Trump (R).

The Southern District of Mississippi has original jurisdiction over cases filed within its jurisdiction. These cases can include civil and criminal matters that fall under federal law.

The geographic jurisdiction of the Southern District of Mississippi consists of all the following counties in the southern part of the state of Mississippi.

The federal nomination process

Federal judges are nominated by the president of the United States and confirmed by the Senate. There are multiple steps to the process:

  • The president nominates an individual for a judicial seat.
  • The nominee fills out a questionnaire and is reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • The Senate Judiciary Committee holds a hearing with the nominee, questioning them about things like their judicial philosophy, past rulings or opinions, etc.
  • As part of this process, the committee sends a blue slip to senators from the home state in which the judicial nomination was received, allowing them to express their approval or disapproval of the nominee.
  • After the hearing, the Senate Judiciary Committee will vote to approve or return the nominee.
  • If approved, the nominee is voted on by the full Senate.
  • If the Committee votes to return the nominee to the president, the president has the opportunity to re-nominate the individual.
  • The Senate holds a vote on the candidate.
  • If the Senate confirms the nomination, the nominee receives a commission to serve a lifelong position as a federal judge.
  • If the Senate does not confirm the nomination, that nominee does not become a judge.


See also

External links


Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Federal Judicial Center, "Biography of Judge Halil Suleyman Ozerden," accessed June 21, 2017
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 WhiteHouse.gov, "Thirteen Nominations and One Withdrawal Sent to the Senate," June 24, 2019
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Congress.gov, "PN896 — Halil Suleyman Ozerden — The Judiciary," accessed January 10, 2020
  4. ↑ Politico, "Ted Cruz will oppose Trump's judicial nominee," September 12, 2019
  5. ↑ LifeNews.com, "Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley Oppose Appeals Court Nominee Who Affirmed Roe v. Wade," September 26, 2019
  6. ↑ Politico, "Republican senators may sink another Trump judicial nominee," July 16, 2019
  7. ↑ U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, "Nominations," July 17, 2019
  8. ↑ The State, "Trump appeals court nominee in jeopardy following GOP revolt," November 12, 2019
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 WhiteHouse.gov, "President Donald J. Trump Announces Judicial Nominees," June 11, 2019
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, "Wicker, Hyde-Smith welcome nomination of Judge Sul Ozerden," June 11, 2019
  11. ↑ American Bar Association, "Ratings of Article III and Article IV judicial nominees: 116th Congress," accessed October 1, 2019
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 United States Congress, "PN 26 — Halil Suleyman Ozerden — The Judiciary," accessed June 21, 2017
  13. ↑ United States Congress, "PN 1951 — Halil Suleyman Ozerden — The Judiciary," accessed June 21, 2017
  14. ↑ American Bar Association, "Ratings of Article III judicial nominees, 109th Congress," accessed June 21, 2017

Political offices
Preceded by
- 		United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
2007-Present		 Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
- 		United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
Succeeded by
-


Mississippi courts

Federal courts:

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Mississippi, Southern District of Mississippi

State courts:

Mississippi Supreme Court • Mississippi Court of Appeals • Mississippi circuit courts • Mississippi Chancery Court • Mississippi county courts • Mississippi justice courts • Mississippi youth courts • Mississippi Municipal Courts

State resources:

Courts in Mississippi • Mississippi judicial elections • Judicial selection in Mississippi

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