WASHINGTON, DC — The National Bar Association supports and endorses President Barack Obama’s nominations of Judge Alfred H. Bennett; Haywood Stirling Gilliam, Jr. and George C. Hanks to fill judicial vacancies on the United States District Courts.
"An ideal bench is representative of its community," stated Pamela J. Meanes, President of the National Bar Association. "Based on the U.S. Census data from 2010, America has become more culturally diverse, however, the nation's judiciary reflects a different trend. Recognizing the lack of racial diversity, it threatens both the quality and legitimacy of judicial decision-making. The National Bar Association has diligently advocated for a diverse judiciary on a local, state and federal level. Accordingly, we are honored to endorse and support these three highly qualified nominees because we recognize that their confirmation aides in creating an ideal bench in their community — one that is diverse in backgrounds, experience, ideals and expectations," stated President Meanes.
The nominees were recommended by the National Bar Association's Standing Committee on Judicial Nominations and all three have received the endorsements of their affiliates and the American Bar Association.
“These nominees will be valuable additions in serving the United States District Court and the citizens they serve in each of their Districts,” stated Dean Alfreda Robinson, Chair of the National Bar Association's Standing Committee on Judicial Nominations and Dean for Trial Advocacy at George Washington University.
Judge Alfred H. Bennett: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Judge Bennett is the Presiding Judge for the 61st Civil District Court of Texas, a position he has held since 2009. From 2010 to 2011, he served as the Administrative Judge for the Harris County Civil District Courts. From 1998 to 2008, Judge Bennett was a solo practitioner, representing individuals and companies in litigation before both state and federal courts. From 1994 to 1998, he worked at Solar & Fernandes LLP and from 1991 to 1994, he worked at Fulbright & Jaworski LLP. Judge Bennett received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas School of Law in 1991 and his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Houston in 1988. 
Judge George C. Hanks Jr.: Nominee for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Judge George C. Hanks Jr., has served as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Texas since 2010. From 2003 to 2010, he served as a Justice on the First Court of Appeals of Texas and from 2001 to 2002, he served as a District Judge for the 157th Civil District Court of Texas. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Hanks was a shareholder at Wickliff & Hall, PC from 1996 to 2000, and an associate at Fulbright & Jaworski LLP from 1991 to 1996. He began his legal career by serving as a law clerk for Judge Sim Lake of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas from 1989 to 1991. Judge Hanks received his LL.M. from Duke University Law School in 2014, his Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School in 1989, and his Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from Louisiana State University in 1986.
Haywood Stirling Gilliam Jr.: Nominee for the the Northern District of California
Haywood Stirling Gilliam Jr., has been a partner at Covington & Burling LLP since 2009, where he is Vice-Chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense and Investigations practice group. From 2006 to 2009, he was a partner at Bingham McCutchen LLP. Gilliam was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Northern District of California from 1999 to 2006, during which time he served as Chief of the Securities Fraud Section from 2004 to 2006. He worked at McCutchen, Doyle, Brown & Enersen from 1995 to 1998 and served as a law clerk to Judge Thelton E. Henderson of the United States District Court for the Northern District Court of California from 1994 to 1995. Gilliam received his Juris Doctorate in 1994 from Stanford Law School and his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude in 1991 from Yale University.