Wendy Chang Participates in National Association of Women Lawyers Evaluation of Obama Nominee for U.S. Supreme Court

In her capacity as a National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) Supreme Court Committee member, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP partner Wendy Chang participated in an evaluation of the qualifications and background of Judge Merrick Garland, President Obama's nominee to fill an existing vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court. The committee's evaluation has been sent to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary for its consideration.

The committee — whose members are appointed by NAWL's President — independently reviews and evaluates the qualifications of presidential nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court, with an emphasis on laws and decisions regarding women's rights and those that have a special impact on women. In evaluating Judge Garland, the committee reviewed more than 330 opinions and dissents authored by the judge and articles authored or coauthored by him. It also conducted in-depth personal interviews with key individuals who have information regarding Judge Garland, his professional roles, and his treatment of litigants, attorneys, employees and colleagues — particularly those who are women.

The committee found Judge Garland "well-qualified" for the position, which is the committee's highest rating. It concluded that Judge Garland displays both a superior intellect and a comprehensive understanding of the issues with which he was presented. The committee also found Judge Garland's opinions to be well written, his ability to analyze statutory and case law excellent, and his judicial reasoning sound and unbiased.

Ms. Chang — a Los Angeles-based member of Hinshaw's Lawyers for the Profession® group — chairs the committee's coordination subcommittee. She also is a member of the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility; an advisor to the State Bar of California Commission for the Revision of the Rules of Professional Conduct; and a past chair of the State Bar of California's Standing Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct.