Longtime federal public defender, experienced litigator, and military judge Richard Federico has recently been confirmed with bipartisan support to serve in an appellate seat in Kansas. Bloomberg Law reports that Federico, who has a history of service in the US Navy Reserve, is set to fill the vacancy left on the US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
The seat was vacated in 2021 by Clinton appointee Mary Briscoe, who moved into senior status – a form of semi-retirement for judges. Federico’s appointment process was not without its challenges, with the Senate confirmation on Monday reflecting a 61-29 vote.
This approval marks President Biden’s second placement on the Denver-based Tenth Circuit court. Notably, members appointed by Democrats currently hold a slight majority of seats on the court. Federico’s successful confirmation involved collaboration between Republican Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall of Kansas, alongside the Democratic-led administration.
Federico’s invaluable contribution as a public defender, his substantial experience within the legal field, and services to the Navy underlines the multifaceted skills that he is expected to bring to his new role on the panel.