James A. Soto
James Alan Soto | |
---|---|
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona | |
Assumed office June 9, 2014 | |
Appointed by | Barack Obama |
Preceded by | David C. Bury |
Judge of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court | |
In office 2001–2014 | |
Town Attorney of Patagonia, Arizona | |
In office 1975–1992 | |
Personal details | |
Born | [1] Nogales, Arizona[2] | July 1, 1950
Political party | Democratic |
Education | Arizona State University (B.S., J.D.) |
James Alan Soto (born July 1, 1950) is a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona and former Arizona state court judge.
Biography
Soto received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1971 from Arizona State University. He received a Juris Doctor in 1975 from Arizona State University College of Law. From 1975 to 1976, he worked in the law office of Nasib Karam. From 1976 to 1979, he was a sole practitioner of law. From 1979 to 1992, he was associated with various law partnerships. From 1992 to 2001, he was a shareholder of Soto, Martin and Coogan, P.C. Concurrently with his private practice, he held a number of public positions. From 1975 to 1983, he worked as a part-time Deputy City Attorney in the Office of the Nogales City Attorney. He worked as a part-time Town Attorney in Patagonia, Arizona in from 1975 to 1992. He worked as a part-time Deputy County Attorney for the Santa Cruz County Attorney's Office in 1979. From 2001 to 2014, Soto served on the Superior Court in Santa Cruz County, where he also served as Presiding Superior Court Judge.[3] Soto was elected to the bench as a Democrat.[4][5]
Federal judicial service
On December 19, 2013, President Obama nominated Soto to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, to the seat vacated by Judge David C. Bury, who took senior status on December 31, 2012.[6] On February 27 2014 his nomination was reported out of the committee.[7] On May 13, 2014, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed for cloture on his nomination. On May 15, 2014, The Senate voted 61–35 on the motion to invoke cloture on his nomination.[8] Later that same day, the Senate voted 95–1 in favor of final confirmation.[9] He received his judicial commission on June 9, 2014.[5]
References
- ^ Hubbell, Martindale (April 1997). Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Martindale-Hubbell. p. AZ25B. ISBN 9781561602223.
- ^ Hubbell, p. AZ25B
- ^ "President Obama Nominates Eight to Serve on the United States District Courts". 19 December 2013.
- ^ "Applicants sought to potentially fill Soto's seat". Nogales International. March 25, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
- ^ a b "Soto, James Alan – Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov.
- ^ "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate". 19 December 2013.
- ^ "Executive Business Meeting". United States Senate. Committee on the Judiciary. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 113th Congress – 2nd Session". Vote Summary: Vote Number 152. United States Senate. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 113th Congress – 2nd Session". Vote Summary: Vote Number 155. United States Senate. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
External links
- James A. Soto at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
- James A. Soto at Ballotpedia
- 1950 births
- Living people
- Arizona Democrats
- Arizona lawyers
- Arizona state court judges
- Hispanic and Latino American judges
- Judges of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona
- Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law alumni
- United States district court judges appointed by Barack Obama
- 21st-century American judges