WASHINGTON – Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers said today that he is pleased that the U.S. Senate confirmed a slate of judicial nominations – including three U.S. District judgeships affecting West Michigan.

Two of the nominees for U.S. District Judge are from Grand Rapids, Ehlers noted. Robert James Jonker is a partner at Warner Norcross & Judd, while Janet T. Neff is a judge on the Third District of the Michigan Court of Appeals.

“I am thrilled that the U.S. Senate has filled these judgeships that are so crucial for our area,” Ehlers said. “These appointments give West Michigan our full contingent of federal district judges to serve our citizens.”

The following are the three judges from West Michigan who were confirmed:

·         Robert James Jonker, of Grand Rapids, as U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Michigan, replacing the retiring Judge Gordon J. Quist;

·         Paul Lewis Maloney, of St. Joseph, as U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Michigan, replacing the retired Judge Richard Alan Enslen;

·         Janet T. Neff, of Grand Rapids, as U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Michigan, replacing Judge David W. McKeague, who was elevated to the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.