President Donald J. Trump Announces Judicial Nominees, a United States Attorney Nominee, and the United States Marshal Nominee

Today, President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate:

J. Philip Calabrese of Ohio, to serve as Judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

Philip Calabrese currently serves as a Judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas.  Before taking the bench in 2019, Judge Calabrese was a partner at Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, LLP, where he co-chaired the firm’s class action practice.  Judge Calabrese also serves as an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law.  Upon graduation from law school, Judge Calabrese served as a law clerk to Judge Alice M. Batchelder of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.  He earned his B.A., summa cum laude, from the College of the Holy Cross, and his J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School.

James R. Knepp II of Ohio, to serve as Judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

James Knepp currently serves as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Ohio.  Before taking the bench in 2010, Judge Knepp spent over 15 years as a civil litigation attorney with Robison, Curphey & O’Connell, LLC in Toledo, Ohio.  Upon graduation from law school, Judge Knepp served as a law clerk to Judge John W. Potter of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.  Judge Knepp earned his B.A., magna cum laude, from Mount Union College, his M.A. from Bowling Green State University, and his J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Toledo College of Law, where he was a member of the editorial board for the University of Toledo Law Review.

Brett H. Ludwig of Wisconsin, to serve as Judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Brett H. Ludwig currently serves as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.  Before taking the bench in 2017, Judge Ludwig was a partner at Foley & Lardner LLP in Milwaukee, where he focused on commercial litigation and dispute resolution and chaired the firm’s pro bono practice.  Judge Ludwig has also taught at the Marquette University Law School.  Upon graduation from law school, Judge Ludwig served as a law clerk to Judge George Fagg of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.  Judge Newman earned his B.A. with highest honors from the University of Wisconsin, and his J.D., magna cum laude from the University of Minnesota School Law, where he served as the managing editor for the University of Minnesota Law Review.   

Michael J. Newman of Ohio, to serve as Judge on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

Michael J. Newman currently serves as a United States Magistrate Judge in the Southern District of Ohio.  Before taking the bench in 2011, Judge Newman was a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP in Cincinnati, where he focused on labor and employment law and led the firm’s pro bono appellate litigation program.  Upon graduation from law school, Judge Newman served as a law clerk to Judge Nathaniel Jones of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.  Judge Newman earned his B.F.A. from New York University and his J.D., cum laude, from American University Washington College of Law. 

Peter McCoy of South Carolina, to serve as United States Attorney for the District of South Carolina.

Peter McCoy is a partner at McCoy & Stokes LLC in Charleston, South Carolina, where his practice focuses on criminal defense in both State and Federal courts, as well as family, personal injury, and probate law.  Mr. McCoy currently serves as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2010.  Before founding Stokes & McCoy, Mr. McCoy was an Assistant Solicitor in the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office in Charleston.  Mr. McCoy earned his B.A. from Hampden-Sydney College and his J.D. from Regent University School of Law.

Anna M. Ruzinski of Wisconsin, to serve as the United States Marshal for the Western District of Wisconsin.

Anna Ruzinski currently serves as the Chief of Police for the Menomonee Falls Police Department, a position she has held for the past 12 years.  Chief Ruzinski served the first 26 years of her career in the Milwaukee Police Department.  Chief Ruzinski graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy in 2009, and she holds a B.S. in Organizational Security and Management from the University of Phoenix.

AG Paxton Co-Leads Letter Opposing Exorbitant Attorneys’ Fees Request by Plaintiffs’ Lawyers in Opioid Litigation

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today co-led a bipartisan coalition of 36 states in filing an amicus letter, arguing that the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio should reject a request by a few plaintiffs’ lawyers to get paid a disproportionate amount of attorneys’ fees in the opioid litigation that will result in a reduction of funds available to provide treatment and relief to victims of the opioid crisis.

In addition to raising federalism and jurisdictional concerns, the letter from attorneys general states that it would be unconscionable and inequitable for the district court to approve a common benefit fund that only increased attorneys’ fees. The letter goes on to argue that this type of proposed tax on the entire settlement would result in less relief for suffering communities and disrupt the substantial progress states have made in negotiating a large national settlement.   

“Attorneys General across the country have worked collaboratively to secure maximum relief for the individuals and families devastated by the opioid crisis. The abatement fund we developed would provide much needed services to victims of this epidemic. These resources are needed now—not at the end of a lengthy litigation process,” said Attorney General Paxton. “Texas filed suit in a Texas court, and a federal judge in Cleveland should not be holding back the money we intend to use to treat our citizens. Imposing a fee on all proceeds put into this fund solely for the benefit of a few attorneys would undermine federalism and dismantle the careful framework we created to ensure that victims of this epidemic receive the help they need and deserve.”  

The recent proposal from the plaintiffs’ lawyers would impose a seven percent fee on recoveries that were made possible by the States’ lawsuits and the strength of States’ legal claims, which are not within the jurisdiction of the court. The order could also prevent cash-poor companies from producing and providing free addiction treatment medication to victims of the opioid crisis.