Obama nominates Utah magistrate to be U.S. district judge

Washington • President Barack Obama has handed a promotion to a magistrate judge in Utah, an attempt to fill a vacancy on the state's federal bench that has remained open since November 2009.

Obama nominated David Nuffer to become the state's next U.S. District judge, a spot requiring Senate confirmation. Nuffer now works at the federal court as a magistrate judge, which, unlike the full judgeship, is not a lifetime appointment.

Magistrate judges assist district judges.

Nuffer started as a part-time magistrate in 1995 and moved to full-time in 2003. Before that, he had a lengthy career as a partner in a law firm where he focused on civil litigation and real estate development.

Obama nominated Nuffer at the same time he nominated Thomas Owen Rice to become a district judge in Washington state.

"I am honored to nominate these distinguished individuals to serve," Obama said in a statement. "They have both demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice throughout their careers."

If confirmed, Nuffer would take the spot vacated by Judge Dale Kimball, who moved to senior status taking a lighter case load starting in 2009.

Utah Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee, both members of the Judiciary Committee, expressed support for Nuffer's nomination.

"Judge Nuffer is an experienced, highly regarded judge who will serve the people of Utah well in his new role," said Lee.

Hatch said: "Judge Nuffer's integrity, training and legal experience make him well-qualified for the position."

Utah still has one vacancy on the district court.

mcanham@sltrib.com

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