Gloria Navarro confirmation hearings under way

By Steve Kanigher

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 | 10:52 a.m.

Clark County Chief Deputy District Attorney Gloria Navarro, who was nominated by President Obama to serve as U.S. district judge for Nevada, was introduced to the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington this morning by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

The Nevada Democrat heaped praise on the 42-year-old Navarro, who will fill the position vacated by Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Sandoval if confirmed by the Senate. She would be the first Hispanic woman to serve as a federal judge in Nevada.

"I am impressed by this Nevadan's professional record and her commitment to public service in all areas of her life," Reid told the committee. "My meetings with her have certainly confirmed her dedication. She is a very personable individual and a professional who is devoted to justice and the rule of law."

Reid said that Navarro is an example of the "quintessential American story" as the daughter of an immigrant family from Cuba who speaks Spanish fluently.

"She learned English and her ABCs watching Sesame Street and worked hard to take advantage of every opportunity that came her way," Reid said. "Today she is an outstanding attorney who chose to serve a community and a state she loves and knows intimately."

Reid's glowing testimony came despite the fact that Navarro is one of the lowest rated of the federal judicial nominations made by Obama since March. A substantial majority of the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, meaning 10 to 13 of its 15 m,embers, rated her as qualified whereas a minority determined her to be not qualified. Only one other nominee among the 45 made by Obama since he took office was determined to be not qualified by at least some members of the committee.

Reid highlighted Navarro's nearly 20 years of experience in the private and public sectors, as well as her handling of complex litigation.

In Navarro's current position with the county, she provides legal counsel and litigation defense to the Clark County Commission.

She previously worked as a public defender, earning the Nevada State Bar Access to Justice Pro Bono Public Lawyer of the Year award in 2002. Navarro also served in private practice, earning the Louis Wiener Pro Bono Service Award in 2001 for her representation of a victim of spousal abuse.

"She is truly committed to the Nevada community," Reid said. "Among other things, as President of the Latino Bar Association, she created a mentoring program pairing high school, college, and law students with community lawyers."

"I am proud to have recommended this exceptional Nevadan to President Obama and I am confident that she will be confirmed expeditiously by the Senate."