For Immediate Release
March 12, 2003

Who Is Miguel Estrada?

Miguel Estrada, nominee to the D.C. Circuit, is an American Success story. His legal experience far exceeds that of the average nominee, and he has bipartisan support from a broad range of groups and individuals. He was confirmed by the committee and Miguel Estrada should promptly be sent to the Senate floor and confirmed.

• Miguel Estrada is an American success story.
  • Born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, immigrated to the United States as a teenager speaking virtually no English.
  • Graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia College in New York, and Harvard Law School where he was editor of the Harvard Law Review.
  • If confirmed, he would be the first Hispanic judge on the Court of Appeals for the D. C. Circuit.

• Miguel Estrada is widely respected. He has earned recognition for the thoroughness of his preparation and the quality of his written and oral advocacy in both in private practice and government service.
  • Partner with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Washington, D.C. where he is a member of the firm's Appellate and Constitutional Law Practice Group and the Business Crimes and Investigations Practice Group.
  • Assistant U.S. Solicitor General during the Bush and Clinton Administrations from 1992 to 1997.
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney and Deputy Chief of the Appellate Section for the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York

• Miguel Estrada has a combined level of appellate and trial experience that far exceeds that of the average Court of Appeals nominee, and even exceeds that of many Supreme Court nominees.
  • Argued 15 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, both criminal and civil.
  • Tried 10 cases as a prosecutor and argued 7 cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
  • The American Bar Association has unanimously rated Estrada "well qualified," the highest possible rating.

• Miguel Estrada has earned the public support of a broad bipartisan range of individuals and groups.
  • Ron Klain, Counsel to former Vice President Gore
  • Seth Waxman, Clinton Administration Principle Deputy Solicitor General
  • Fraternal Order of Police
  • League of United Latin American Citizens
  • The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • Hispanic National Bar Association

• Miguel Estrada has demonstrated a commitment to community service apart from his distinguished record of government service.
  • Represented Virginia death row inmate Tommy David Strickler before the Supreme Court pro bono. Estrada argued a new trial should be granted because the prosecution had withheld evidence that could raise questions as to the credibility of a key eyewitness.
  • Represented an incarcerated defendant who was seeking habeas corpus relief from his state conviction.
  • Member of the National Board of Directors of the Center for Community Interest since 1998.

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