Obama nominates Long Islander for U.S. District Court judgeship
Gary Brown, a Long Islander with a career as a private attorney, prosecutor and federal magistrate, was recommended June 18, 2015, by Sen. Charles Schumer to be a U.S. District Court judge on Long Island. Credit: Newsday
President Barack Obama has nominated a Long Islander to be a U.S. District Court judge in Central Islip.
The nomination of Gary Brown, 51, currently a federal magistrate, was announced by the White House late Thursday.
Obama also nominated six others for District Court judgeships around the country for approval by the Senate. "Throughout their careers, these nominees have displayed unwavering commitment to justice and integrity," the president said.
Brown, a Setauket resident and Yale Law School graduate, is probably best known for a 2014 decision in which he uncovered possible underpayments or unfair denials of claims for victims of superstorm Sandy.
In recommending that Obama nominate Brown in June, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said his selection committee lauded Brown's entire legal career but the Sandy decision "sealed the deal."
"I recommended Gary Brown because he has the right experience, intellect and temperament for the federal bench, and I am very pleased President Obama has officially nominated him," Schumer said Friday. "I will do all I can to see that he is confirmed speedily so he can take his place on the court in the Eastern District."
Brown would replace Judge Sandra Feuerstein, who took senior status in May.
He previously has been head of the U.S. attorney's office on Long Island and a top litigator with CA Technologies.
Bob Kessler covers federal law, including law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, DEA, IRS and ATF, as well as the federal courts.
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