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Local judge tapped for federal seat

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

(Updated Friday, March 12 - 5:22 am)

By Jennifer Fernandez
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO — Another Greensboro judge may be headed for the federal bench.

President Barack Obama on Wednesday nominated Catherine C. Eagles, a Guilford County Superior Court judge since 1993, to fill a seat on the U.S. District Court that serves the Middle District of North Carolina. The Senate must confirm the nomination.

Eagles declined to comment through a secretary Wednesday afternoon.

When recommended for the post in July, Eagles said in an interview that she loved being a judge no matter the level.

“The most important case is the case that’s in front of you this second,” Eagles said.

She added that the federal bench would be “a different kind of challenge.”

Before joining the Superior Court, Eagles practiced law at Smith Moore Leatherwood in Greensboro, specializing in areas such as civil litigation, product liability and trade secrets.

She was appointed to the judgeship in 1993, elected in 1994 and re-elected in 1996 and 2004. Her latest eight-year term ends in 2012.

If the Senate confirms Eagles, Gov. Bev Perdue will have to appoint a replacement for Superior Court.

In 2006, Eagles became the first woman to hold senior resident status in Guilford County Superior Court. Eagles’ departure would leave vacant that position. The senior resident judge is in charge of running the Superior Court. That includes creating judges’ schedules and setting policies and procedures.

Judge Lindsay Davis is next in seniority. If he were to lose re-election this year or decline the position, Judge John O. Craig III would be the next most senior judge, said Jon Bellows , trial court administrator.

Craig said Eagles has been an excellent administrator whose work has left the Superior Court in great shape for the next administrator. The federal courts will benefit from her judicial experience as well, he said.

“It’s been my experience that she’s pretty tough on crime and pretty strong on her sentencing,” Craig said. “I just think she’s a great choice. I hate to lose her, but she’s just a perfect match for the position.”

Eagles would join fellow Greensboro resident William Osteen Jr., who replaced his father on the court in 2007. And she would take the place of N. Carlton Tilley Jr., another Greensboro resident who took a reduced caseload in 2008.

Sen. Kay Hagan, a Greensboro Democrat and a close friend of Eagles', recommended her and two others for the federal seat in July .

Hagan said in a prepared statement announcing the nomination that Eagles has “served with distinction.”

“She has a proven record of judicial fairness and my full support,” Hagan said. “I will be working with my colleagues to ensure a swift confirmation for Judge Eagles.”

Sen. Richard Burr, a Winston-Salem Republican, declined to comment on the nomination through his press secretary.

No timeline was announced Wednesday for the confirmation process. Osteen was confirmed eight months after being nominated by President George W. Bush.

Contact Jennifer Fernandez at 373-7064 or jennifer.fernandez@news-record.com

Accompanying Photos

Photo Caption: Catherine Eagles

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nanamamaedge

March 10, 2010 - 9:33 pm EST

If she goes against the law, like Hagan went against the people that she is supposed to serve, then we are in big trouble.
I don't know this woman, but seeing how Hagan nominated her, and is a "Dear" friend, this is the first clue that this is a
bad thing. The second thing, is that Obama put in a nomination for her.. Oh Dear.... We just keep going further and further in the hole..

nonotreally

March 10, 2010 - 10:45 pm EST

Judge Eagles is a rude, elitist snob who walks around looking down her nose at everyone. I've witnessed it firsthand after working in the courts the last 15 years...

minkheel

March 10, 2010 - 11:05 pm EST

As an attorney, Judge Eagles is one of the best judges in the state. She is smart and fair -- which is all I would ever want in a judge. She is also very approachable and friendly. Far from being an "elitist snob" (at least in my experience). A good choice for the federal bench.

copguy

March 10, 2010 - 11:08 pm EST

This is the same judge that once told me, "You have enough probable cause (for your search warrant), but I like to see a little more probable cause. Take your warrant downstairs (meaning to a District Court judge). I am sure you can get one of them to sign it". There are no degrees of probable cause-you either have it or you don't. The warraant was signed, the bad guys arrested, and found guilty. But, certaintly with no thanks from her. God help us.

VALawyer

March 11, 2010 - 8:18 am EST

Good for Judge Eagles. Judges are free to exceed the bare minimum freedoms the 4th Amendment provides and she did that by standing up to the police versus just signing whatever they gave her.

copguy

March 12, 2010 - 11:08 pm EST

I think you missed the point VA. She AGREED that there was probable cause. In fact, there was so much evidence against the defendant that his attorney did not even bother with a suppression hearing. The defendant plead guilty to all counts, etc. The problem is a judge arbitrarily setting standards to search and seizure requirements that are in the Constitution-legislating from the bench. This is a problem for police officers, suspects, and attornies. No one will know what "her" standard is if she does not apply constitutionaly upheld standards. Like I said, God help us.

ravencottage

March 11, 2010 - 2:22 pm EST

I would be horribly embarrassed if Hagan and Obama nominated me for anything. Obviously those two see something in Eagles that fits their agenda. Hopefully all judicial nominations will be put on hold until after the November elections.

malvern

March 11, 2010 - 2:54 pm EST

Great choice, I hope Obama can place as many liberal judges as he can to counter Bush judges, many of whom have taken away our civil liberties.

Obama won the election and has every right to place any federal judges he sees fit, just like Bush did, so anyone with a problem get over it.

Already off to a good start with Judge Diaz and Wynn going to the Fourth Circuit!

2honest4u

March 11, 2010 - 10:00 pm EST

Judge Eagles is a mean spirited bully. She has herself on a pedestal, therefore she can look down on those not up to her level. She has the ability to turn on that fake, sweet charm when her agenda calls for it, but look out, beneath that "sweet charm" is a hate filled woman. She lacks the compassion and empathy that makes a good judge. Personally, I am going to start writing to those reviewing her nomination, she doesn't need that kind of power and if Kay Hagan weren't her good friend, she wouldn't be up for this position.