WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (D-NC) yesterday sent to President Obama her recommendations for U.S. District Court Judge for North Carolina's Western District.

"I am proud to recommend these three outstanding jurists for President Obama's consideration," said Hagan. "I will be working closely with the White House on the nomination process. I have been focused on recommending the most qualified, fair-minded candidates for each federal appointment in North Carolina, and I know the Western District will be well-served by any of these three choices."

"I have known all three of Senator Hagan's choices for many years," said former North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Burley Mitchell. "They all are solid, proven judges and excellent legal technicians. All three have a calm, dispassionate demeanor in court. They each know the western district very well. The President could close his eyes and throw a dart at these three names and be guaranteed to come up with a winner. I commend Sen. Hagan for putting people of this quality before the President."

In March, Hagan convened a four-person, statewide panel, led by Justice Mitchell, to screen candidates for these federal appointments. In July, Hagan announced recommendations for two federal district court judgeships, three U.S. Attorney and three U.S. Marshal positions.

In yesterday's letter to the President, Hagan recommended that the following individuals for the Western District:

Judge Max Cogburn Jr. is currently a Partner at Cogburn & Brazil P.A. in Asheville where he has focused on Criminal and Civil Litigation since early 2006. He served as the U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of North Carolina for nine years and as the Assistant U.S. Attorney for the district from 1980-1992. During those 12 years, he was the Lead Attorney in the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force, as well as the Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Judge Robert Ervin has been the Resident Superior Court Judge for North Carolina in the 25-A District since January 2003. In 2008, Chief Justice Sarah Parker appointed him to serve on the Indigent Defense Services Commission. Also in 2008, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice awarded Judge Ervin the "Outstanding Trial Judge of the Year."

Judge Calvin Murphy has been a North Carolina Special Superior Court Judge since 2007. Prior to his appointment, Judge Murphy worked in private practice for 25 years. Beginning in 1977, he was the Assistant District Attorney to the 26th District where he worked in the Career Criminal Unit. In addition, Judge Murphy served as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army from 1971-1973.