Rice nominated for federal judgeship

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Rice was nominated today by President Barack Obama for a federal judgeship in Spokane. Rice, a 1986 magna cum laude graduate of Gonzaga School of Law, was among two judicial nominees announced by the White House this afternoon. The other is David Nuffer, a magistrate nominated for a judgeship in Utah. “I am honored to nominate these distinguished individuals to serve on the United States District Court bench,” Obama said in prepared remarks. “They have both demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice throughout their careers, and I am confident they will continue to serve the American people with integrity.” Both will face Senate confirmation proceedings. Rice will fill the judicial seat left vacant by the retirement of Judge Robert Whaley. Other lawyers from Eastern Washington considered for the nomination were Les Weatherhead of Spokane and Stanley Bastian of Wenatchee. Rice has served as a federal prosecutor in Spokane since 1987. He previously served as a trial attorney in the Tax Division of the U.S. Justice Department.