News spreads about Tinder’s confirmation

News came late Tuesday night that U.S. District Judge John D. Tinder has been promoted to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

His first order of business today: resuming a criminal jury trial that’s been under way this week in his Southern District of Indiana courtroom in Indianapolis. That priority made him unavailable early today to talk about the confirmation, but his courthouse colleagues made sure everyone knew the significance of the news.

“True to form, Judge Tinder was on the bench handling a jury trial the morning after he was confirmed,” Magistrate Judge Tim A. Baker said, noting what a noteworthy gift this is for the legal community. “He’s a dedicated, hard-working judge, and his confirmation is a credit to his dedication and determination.”

While most didn’t see the televised confirmation vote, District Court Clerk Laura Briggs said she watched the vote at home with her husband and jumped up and down when hearing news of the unanimous vote shortly after 11 p.m.

After hours of debate about federal spending and other legislative issues throughout the day, the Senate moved to Judge Tinder’s confirmation and voted 93-0 in his favor. Republican Sen. Richard Lugar had picked him for the spot, President George W. Bush nominated him in July, and the Senate has been working since to confirm him. Following last night’s action, the confirmation vote was sent to the president for signing, which was expected today.

News spread quickly this morning in the Southern District’s halls and court chambers, and everyone was absolutely ecstatic, Briggs said.

“I stayed up to watch the vote … and couldn’t sit still once Judge Tinder’s name was on the screen,” she said, noting that she watched the televised vote with her husband on C-Span2. “When the vote concluded unanimously, I’ll admit that I literally danced with happiness for the judge.

“There’s a certain pride associated with working for a man as honorable, intelligent, and fair as Judge Tinder,” she added. “To see him recognized by this elevation, supported by senators from both political parties, is a credit to him and the court as a whole. It’s a proud day for the Southern District.”

Fellow U.S. District Judge Sarah Evans Barker said she was pleased with how Judge Tinder’s entire confirmation process wasn’t arduous, as expected earlier this year. She knows how tough the waiting has been.

“I like to say he’s off the Tinder-hook; though that sounds pre-planned and it’s not,” she said this morning. “This is analogous to a baby being born long overdue. When it finally happens, you’re so ready for them to be born, but the wait makes it even more of a joyous occasion.”

Judge Tinder is the first Hoosier jurist appointed to the federal appellate court in two decades. He will replace Circuit Judge Daniel A. Manion, who came from South Bend after being appointed in 1986 and is now taking senior status, according to his court staff in South Bend.

Uncertain this morning is when Judge Tinder’s appointment will begin, but colleagues suspect he will be unofficially sworn in and then re-designated to the District Court until a new judge can be nominated and confirmed.

Judge Tinder will maintain office hours in the Southern District and travel back and forth to Chicago, according to Judge Barker.

“We’re confident that he’ll be as fine an appellate judge as he has been a trial judge,” Judge Barker said about her colleague. “Everyone’s confident that the things he’s learned as a trial judge here about people and their important legal matters will influence the kind of judge he’ll be.”

A lifelong Indianapolis resident and Indiana University School of Law – Bloomington graduate, Judge Tinder has been at the District Court since 1987.

See the Dec. 26 issue of Indiana Lawyer for more comprehensive coverage on Judge Tinder’s confirmation.