Press Release

May 10, 2012
ON THE NOMINATION OF JUDGE PAUL WILLIAM GRIMM TO BE UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE, DISTRICT OF MARYLAND

I am pleased to join with Senator Mikulski in recommending that the Judiciary Committee favorably report Judge Paul William Grimm of Maryland to be a US District Judge for the District of Maryland.  Let me also welcome Judge Grimm’s family and friends to today’s hearing, and thank them for the sacrifices they make.

        Judge Grimm was nominated to fill the upcoming vacancy that will be created when US District Judge Benson E. Legg takes senior status in less than a month.

        Judge Grimm brings a wealth of experience to this position.  Earlier in his career he served in the military in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, handled commercial litigation in private practice, and served as a state Assistant Attorney General in Maryland.  He has sat as a federal magistrate judge in Maryland for 15 years.

Judge Grimm was born in Japan and received his undergraduate degree from the University of California in 1973, and graduated from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1976.  Judge Grimm was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1977.

Judge Grimm has strong roots, legal experience, and community involvement in the state of Maryland.  Judge Grimm lives with his family in Towson, which is in Baltimore County, Maryland.

Judge Grimm began his legal career after graduating law school back in Maryland, as a Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.  He then worked in the Pentagon before heading back to the Baltimore region, alternating between working in private practice and working in the state attorney general’s office, while continuing to serve as an active duty US Army JAG Corps Officer with occasional stints in the Pentagon.

In 1997, Judge Grimm was selected as a Magistrate Judge by the judges of the US District Court for the District of Maryland.  In 2006, Judge Grimm became the Chief US Magistrate Judge in Baltimore.

In 2009, Chief Justice John Roberts appointed Judge Grimm to serve as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.  In 2010 he was designated as Chair of the Civil Rules Committee’s Discovery Subcommittee.

Let me expand a bit on that last point.  As is evident from the Chief Justice’s appointment, Judge Grimm is a nationally recognized expert on cutting edge issues of law and technology.  He has written numerous authoritative opinions, books and articles on the subjects of evidence, civil procedure, and trial advocacy. He also continues to inspire the next generation of lawyers by teaching classes at our two law schools in Maryland, and on several occasions Professor Grimm has been awarded the title of “outstanding adjunct faculty member.”

As a Magistrate Judge, Judge Grimm is responsible for handling routine criminal matters such as issuing search warrants, conducting preliminary criminal proceedings, and presiding over misdemeanor criminal cases.  Judge Grimm is also responsible for handling civil cases, where he presides over bench and jury trials, with the consent of the parties. Judge Grimm also conducts settlement conferences, resolves discovery disputes, and handles other non-dispositive matters at the referral of US District Judges.

Judge Grimm has estimated that in his 15 years as a Magistrate Judge he has presided over approximately 50 civil trials and 150 criminal misdemeanor trials, including both jury and bench trials.

        Judge Grimm received a unanimous rating of “well qualified,” the highest possible rating for a judicial nominee, from the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary.
        I am absolutely confident that Judge Grimm possesses the qualifications, temperament, and passion for justice that will make him an outstanding United States District Court Judge for the District of Maryland.  He will serve the people of Maryland very well in this position.  I therefore recommend the Committee favorably approve this nomination and send it to the full Senate for confirmation.

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