Wolford’s nomination sent to Senate

The nomination of Rochester attorney Elizabeth A. Wolford is on its way to the full Senate, which will decide whether or not to confirm her for a federal judgeship.

The Senate Committee on the Judiciary on Thursday unanimously, by voice vote, agreed to report four pending judicial nominations to the Senate floor.

Wolford is being considered for a seat on the Rochester bench of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York to fill a vacancy created in December when District Court Judge Charles J. Siragusa was elevated to senior status.

“Ms. Wolford is a history-making pick as she would be the first woman to serve on the federal bench in this district,” Sen. Charles E. Schumer wrote in a release after the vote. He recommended Wolford for the nomination, which was made in May by President Barack Obama.

Wolford, who has been an attorney for more than 20 years, is a partner in The Wolford Law Firm.

The other nominees forwarded to the full Senate on Thursday are Gregory Howard Woods for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York; Debra M. Brown, Northern District of Mississippi; and Patricia Ann Millett, District of Columbia Circuit. Millett’s nomination was the only one that was not unanimous. Republican senators objected, questioning the need to fill three vacancies on the D.C. Circuit. The vote was 10-8 to send Millett’s nomination to the Senate floor where it is expected to face additional debate when the Senate takes it up after the summer recess