Richard Allen Griffin
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Richard Allen Griffin (born April 15, 1952) is a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Previously, he was a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals.
[edit] Background
Griffin, born in Traverse City, Michigan, is the son of former U.S. Senator Robert P. Griffin. He received a B.A. magna cum laude from Western Michigan University in 1971 and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1977.
Beginning in 1989, he served as a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals (Third District). During part of that time his father was a Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court.
[edit] Sixth Circuit nomination and confirmation
Griffin was appointed to the Sixth Circuit on June 10, 2005, after being nominated by George W. Bush on June 26, 2002, to a seat vacated by Damon J. Keith. In its assessment of his nomination, the Independent Judiciary project of the liberal group Alliance for Justice described Griffin as a "deeply conservative jurist".
His confirmation was temporarily blocked by both U.S. Senators of his home-state of Michigan, Carl Levin (who defeated Griffin's father, Robert P. Griffin, in his bid for re-election in 1978) and Debbie Stabenow. As part of the Gang of 14 Deal, though he was eventually confirmed on June 9, 2005, by a vote of 95-0. In the end, both Levin and Stabenow voted in favor of confirmation. Griffin was the sixth judge nominated to the Sixth Circuit by Bush and confirmed by the Senate.
[edit] External links
- U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy biography
- Independent Judiciary nominee profile
- White House Judicial Nominations profile and statements of support
- Federal Judicial Center Profile
| Preceded by Damon J. Keith |
Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit 2005-present |
Succeeded by incumbent |
