Dayton magistrate nominated by president for Dayton federal judge seat

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“I am humbled and honored to be nominated by the president for this important judicial role in the Southern District of Ohio, and am sincerely grateful to Senators Portman and Brown for their support,” Newman said in a statement.

District Judge Walter Rice, the judge for whom the downtown federal courthouse building is named, said he is happy that Newman was nominated.

“He will take this court to the higher level,” Rice said. “I am delighted, and I think all our judges and attorneys are as well. He has become an integral part of the Dayton community.”

Rice said one of the problems the Dayton courthouse has is that many employees want to get their start here, but don’t plan to work here their entire career. Rice said Newman will likely be here for the long haul.

Newman declined an interview with the newspaper, citing respect for the nomination process.

The president nominates district court judges based on recommendations from U.S. senators. The nomination will now be vetted by the Senate Judiciary Committee before being considered for confirmation by the full U.S. Senate.

Both Ohio senators applauded the nomination.

"I am pleased the president has nominated Judge Michael Newman to be the next federal judge in the Southern District," Republican Sen. Rob Portman said in a statement. "He has served the community of Dayton with honor and distinction as a magistrate judge. He will bring significant experience to this role from his time in the public and private sectors. I'm confident he will make Ohio proud."

"Judge Newman will bring a wealth of experience and commitment to the federal bench," Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown said in a statement."I'm proud to join Senator Portman in this bipartisan process, and I thank Judge Newman for his willingness to serve."

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Before taking the bench in 2011, Newman was a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP in Cincinnati, where he focused on labor and employment law and led the firm's pro bono appellate litigation program, according to the White House press release. Newman served as a law clerk to Judge Nathaniel Jones of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Newman earned his B.F.A. from New York University and his J.D., cum laude, from American University Washington College of Law, the press release says.