The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Yesterday, President Obama nominated David Hamilton to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. The nomination is Obama's first.

Judge Hamilton is chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.  He was appointed in 1994 by President Clinton and became chief judge last year.

Federal circuit courts hear appeals from district courts on matters including interpretation of federal rules and laws, constitutionality of state and federal laws, and the district court's factual rulings.  Circuit court decisions typically have the final say in a case. They can be reversed by the U.S. Supreme Court, which is the highest judicial body in the nation, but the Supreme Court actually agrees to look at only a small fraction of circuit court decisions. 

There are currently 15 vacancies on the federal circuit courts.  Judicial nominees must typically be confirmed by the Senate in order to sit on a circuit court.