The Honorable Mel Martinez

Senator

September 9, 2008

Statement regarding Mary Scriven's nomination to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Presented by U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Mr. Chairman, it gives me great pleasure to come before this Committee today in support of the President's nomination of Magistrate Judge Mary Scriven to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Judge Scriven is an outstanding attorney and a committed public servant. She will make a fine United States District Judge.

In 1987, after earning her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her law degree from Florida State University, Judge Scriven entered private practice with the Tampa office of Carlton Fields. Judge Scriven eventually became a partner there before taking on a Magistrate Judgeship in 1997.

During her more than 10 years of private practice at Carlton Fields, Judge Scriven focused on representing corporations and governmental clients in complex, commercial litigation. She litigated and tried matters over amounts ranging from $50,000 to $122 million. She handled securities and anti-trust matters, defended corporate clients against class-actions, and pursued insurance coverage for banking clients facing losses from embezzlers.

Throughout her career, she earned the respect of a variety of people - from the lawyers at her own large, regional firm, to co-counsel, to opposing counsel, to, of course, members of the bench before whom she appeared.

In December 1997, Judge Scriven, was selected to serve an 8-year term as a Federal Magistrate Judge. She was re-appointed to another 8-year term in 2005. In her 11 years as a Magistrate, Judge Scriven has proven herself to be a committed public servant. Judge Scriven has garnered significant courtroom experience in both criminal and civil matters. She has put in the time and effort necessary to understand and fairly decide issues of often little glamour, but critical importance to the litigants and lawyers before her.

Beyond her professional accolades, Judge Scriven is married and the mother and step-mother to four children. And, despite the demands of her current position, she has remained involved in the local Tampa community through her service on various charity boards and through her church.

I believe I echo the sentiment of all those who know Judge Scriven when I say that she reflects the necessary attributes of a jurist - intelligence, honesty, and even-handedness.

The President has made a good choice in nominating Mary Scriven to the bench. I ask that you look favorably upon her nomination and see to it that she may continue her career serving the people of the Middle District of Florida.