Senator Evan Bayh has recommended that President Barack Obama name Marion County Superior Court Judge Tanya Walton Pratt to be a Federal Judge for the Southern District of Indiana. Senator Evan Bayh made the announcement on Afternoons with Amos. Judge Pratt would be the first African-American Federal Judge in Indiana history.
Pratt, a native of Indianapolis and graduate of Spelman College and the Howard University School of Law first began her judicial career as a Master Commissioner in the early 1990’s. Pratt was first elected to the Marion County Superior Court in 1996 and was re-elected in 2002 and 2008, each time being either the top or near the top vote getters in the countrywide election.
Judge Pratt handled major felony cases and currently handles civil and probate cases. Judge Pratt has also served as one of the Presiding Judges of the thirty-two member county court system.
Senator Bayh is also recommending Federal Magistrate Jane Magnus Stinson, also a former Marion County Superior Court Judge, be appointed to a Federal Judgeship here.
President Obama is expected to make the formal appointments this week.
The appointments must be approved by the U.S. Senate during hearings later this Spring.
