Path clearing for Las Vegas judicial nominee Dorsey

WASHINGTON — A path is clearing for the Senate to evaluate Jennifer Dorsey, nominated by President Barack Obama to become a Nevada federal judge.

Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., said Tuesday that by the next congressional recess on March 22, he will give the Senate Judiciary Committee permission to hold a confirmation hearing on the Las Vegas attorney.

Dorsey’s name was submitted to the Senate in September, but Heller had not submitted her “blue slip,” a form the Judiciary Committee requires to start proceedings.

While Heller said he will allow for a confirmation hearing, he did not say whether he would vote for Dorsey to become a judge. He said he might announce that decision in the next few weeks.

Dorsey, a specialist in civil appeals and complex commercial cases, is a partner in the Las Vegas firm of Kemp Jones & Coulthard.

The Senate on Monday confirmed Andrew Gordon to become a U.S. District judge in Nevada. That leaves two vacancies in the seven-judge district.

Heller’s remarks came a few days after Clark County District Judge Elissa Cadish withdrew her nomination for ab open seat. Cadish had been promoted by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., but Heller had blocked her for more than a year in a dispute over her views on gun rights.

Heller said he and Reid are working together to find a new candidate to replace Cadish. Reid “has been very willing to be more collaborative in the future, and that bodes well for the nominees,” Heller said.

He did not draw a connection between Cadish withdrawing and his comments to let the Senate start considering Dorsey, another Reid pick for federal judge. Heller said he has been performing a background check on Dorsey.

The timing raised the appearance the senators had worked out a deal on the nominees. A Heller aide said that, in his office, “each candidate stands on his or her own.”

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760. Follow him on Twitter @STetreaultDC.