Carl Tobias

Carl Tobias

November 01, 2024 | The Legal Intelligencer

Commentary: Sen. Casey's Critical Role in Keeping Pa. Federal Courts Full

Sen. Bob Casey's nearly two decades of experience in the Senate filling vacancies has enabled him to assume a leadership role in this work.

By Carl Tobias

5 minute read

February 16, 2007 | National Law Journal

Maryland reassesses

The Maryland high court issued a Dec. 19 opinion that could prompt Maryland to join an increasing number of jurisdictions that are reassessing capital punishment generally and the lethal-injection process specifically.

By Carl Tobias/Special to The National Law Journal

3 minute read

September 20, 2010 | National Law Journal

More than 100 judgeships are vacant

Prompt nominations and confirmations to fill these openings, now 12% of the total positions, is essential.

By Carl Tobias

4 minute read

February 19, 2007 | National Law Journal

Maryland reassesses

Governor Martin O'Malley and the Maryland Legislature should promptly and thoroughly review the death penalty and the lethal-injection procedures to decide whether change is warranted.

By Carl Tobias / Special to The National Law Journal

3 minute read

December 04, 2012 | National Law Journal

Senator Grassley and federal judicial selection

Senator Charles Grassley has a fine chance to create a bipartisan tone by voting for the five nominees whom he held over.

By Carl Tobias

4 minute read

November 21, 2005 | National Law Journal

House's abusive bypass

On Nov. 3, House members further aggravated the fraying relations between the federal courts and Congress by using a procedural technique to avoid serious analysis and debate on a provision that would divide the 9th Circuit.

By Carl TobiasSpecial to The National Law Journal

4 minute read

July 17, 2006 | National Law Journal

Gauging competence

Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine took the unusual steps of invoking his clemency power and suspending the execution of Percy Levar Walton for six months to ascertain whether "his mental capacity imposes a bar to his execution" under the U.S. Supreme Court's 1986 mandate in Ford v. Wainwright.

By Carl Tobias/Special to The National Law Journal

4 minute read

December 26, 2012 | The Legal Intelligencer

Filling the Lower Federal Court Vacancies in the Lame-Duck Session

Now that the Senate is approaching the end of its lame-duck session after President Obama captured another term and Democrats enhanced their Senate majority, federal judicial selection warrants review.

By Carl Tobias

3 minute read

October 24, 2005 | National Law Journal

Nonjudge nominee

President George W. Bush has proposed a justice who is not a federal appellate judge. Now the Senate must discharge its advice and consent responsibilities by scrutinizing Miers, especially the benefits and disadvantages of approving someone who is a practicing lawyer.

By Carl TobiasSpecial to The National Law Journal

4 minute read

November 27, 2006 | National Law Journal

Time for bipartisanship

President Bush has candidly acknowledged the Nov. 7 Election Day thumpin' and pledged to work in a bipartisan manner with the new majority. But the first step that he president took was his renomination on Nov. 15 of the six controversial judicial nominees whom the Senate had returned to the White House for the second time at its September recess.

By Carl Tobias/Special to The National Law Journal

4 minute read