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A Salt Lake City commercial and catastrophic personal injury attorney has been nominated to serve as a U.S. District Court judge for the District of Utah.

Robert J. Shelby was nominated by President Barack Obama on Wednesday to fill the vacant federal post.

"These nominees have displayed unwavering commitment to justice and integrity," Obama said in a statement. "Their records of service to the public and the legal profession are distinguished and impressive and I am confident that they will serve the American people well from the United States District Court bench."

Shelby currently works at the Salt Lake City law firm of Snow, Christensen & Martineau and represents clients in state, federal and administrative courts throughout the country. Shelby has also worked at Burbridge, Mitchell & Gross, and began his legal career as a law clerk to former U.S. District Court judge for the District of Utah, J. Thomas Greene, who died in February, according to the statement.

Shelby received his B.A. in 1994 from Utah State University and received his law degree in 1998 from the University of Virginia School of Law, the statement shows.

Shelby will still have to complete a confirmation process before being named as a federal judge.

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