Senate Confirms Judge Anthony Battaglia for U.S. District Court in San Diego

Boxer Recommended Judge Battaglia’s Nomination to the White House

Washington, D.C. – U. S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) spoke on the Senate floor today in support of the nomination of Magistrate Judge Anthony J. Battaglia to serve as a U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of California, which covers San Diego and Imperial Counties. The Senate voted today 89-0 to confirm Judge Battaglia.

Senator Boxer recommended Judge Battaglia’s nomination to the White House last year, and the Senate Judiciary Committee approved his nomination unanimously in December. However, Senate Republicans blocked his confirmation before the end of the last session. He was unanimously approved again by the Senate Judiciary Committee in February.

The following are Senator Boxer’s remarks as delivered:

I am honored today to support the nomination of Judge Anthony Battaglia to the Southern District of California.

I had the great privilege of recommending Judge Battaglia to President Obama to serve on the Southern District Court. He is widely respected in the San Diego legal community, and will make an excellent addition to the bench.

I have a committee that is set up in all of the various areas over California, and they recommended him to me, and I was proud to recommend him to the President.

I do want to congratulate him and his family on this important day.

Judge Battaglia was born and raised in San Diego. He is a graduate of the United States International University, now Alliant International University, and California Western School of Law in San Diego.

Judge Battaglia has practiced law for 35 years in San Diego and for 19 years, he was a private practitioner with a very strong record as a litigator.

For the past 16 years, Judge Battaglia has served with distinction as a Magistrate Judge for the Southern District.

He has a reputation as a “judge’s judge” – hard-working, thoughtful and fair. Local lawyers praise him for being well-prepared for hearings and trials, and diligent in moving cases forward. He has presided over 22 trials that have gone to verdict during his tenure on the bench.

Equally important is Judge Battaglia’s dedication to service outside of the courtroom. He is a past president of the National Federal Magistrate Judges Association, and has twice been selected by Chief Justices of the Supreme Court to serve on a national advisory committee that reviews criminal court rules.

In short, Judge Battaglia’s career stands as a testament to his dedication and devotion to the law and the legal community of San Diego – both inside and outside of the courtroom.

I close by congratulating Judge Battaglia and his family on this momentous day, and I urge my colleagues in the Senate to vote to confirm this highly qualified nominee to the bench.