Madison Attorney Nominated To Serve On Federal Appeals Court

President Barack Obama has nominated a Madison lawyer to fill a long-standing vacancy on the federal 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.

The president nominated Donald Schott to fill the appeals court seat that’s been vacant for more than five years. Schott is a partner in the Wisconsin firm Quarles and Brady, where he’s worked for more than three decades aside from a two-year stint in the administration of former Democratic Gov. Tony Earl.

Schott’s name was forwarded to the White House by Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, who circumvented a nominating committee she’d set up with Republican Sen. Ron Johnson.

The court represents three states and has played a prominent role in Wisconsin recently, giving the final word on issues ranging from voter ID to Act 10.

Schott’s appointment needs confirmation by the full U.S. Senate, which is currently controlled by Republicans. Johnson blocked the president’s last nomination for the 7th Circuit in 2011.