Trump Nominates Trucking Attorney For Federal District Court Seat

Yesterday, President Trump announced his judicial nominations. Named was New Mexico trucking attorney Brenda Saiz.

Saiz is an attorney with Rodey Law Firm of Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to the firm’s site, the company specializes in, “….reduce[ing] the costs of claims made and lawsuits brought against its trucking industry clients… dealing with Department of Transportation investigations.  We have developed a rapid action team for the purpose of coordinating and conducting accident investigations.”

Rodey Law Firm carrier clients include, Swift, FedEx Ground, Quality Carriers and more.

“The firm of Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin & Robb, P.A. is proud to announce that Brenda M. Saiz, a director and shareholder in the firm, has been nominated to serve as a United States District Judge in New Mexico. A member of the Rodey Firm for 12 years, Ms. Saiz focuses her practice in the areas of trucking law, products and professional liability, medical malpractice, wrongful death and insurance defense litigation.  Ms. Saiz has extensive trial experience throughout the courts in New Mexico.  Thomas L. Stahl, the firm’s Managing Director, stated that “Although Ms. Saiz will be greatly missed at the firm, she will be an outstanding Judge.”

Law and Crime magazine referred to Saiz as a “bonafide super lawyer” with a proven track record and history of being a top-rated attorney.

This will be Saiz’s first position in a political role. Up to this point, Saiz has worked as an attorney and an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law.

It is unclear what Saiz’s political affiliations are, but so far she has received support from democratic Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich who told the Albuquerque Journal, “We reviewed a number of high-quality applicants, and found both Fred Federici and Brenda Saiz to be experienced attorneys who came recommended by fellow New Mexicans. We believe they are well qualified district court judicial nominees.” 

Saiz has a long way to go before being seated, as the nomination is only the first step in the process. Saiz must now pass a review by the America Bar Association’s Standing Committee, then Senators will cast their votes in support or opposition and next, a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing will be held, allowing members to question the nominees in a public forum. Lastly, a full senate vote is held.

If a nominee passes all of the hurdles, he or she is eligible for a lifetime judicial appointment but the process can take months.

We will update as new information is available.