The U.S. Senate has confirmed two of President Donald Trump’s nominees for federal judgeships in Texas — one in Dallas and the other in Houston. Both new judges are replacing highly respected women judges.
In a 50-47 vote, the Senate on Wednesday confirmed Angela Colmenero as U.S. district judge for the Southern District of Texas, succeeding Judge Lee H. Rosenthal.
Last Friday, the Senate confirmed Kirkland & Ellis partner Kasdin Mitchell as a federal judge for the Northern District of Texas in a 49-45 vote. Mitchell is succeeding retired Judge Barbara Lynn.
“After nearly two decades in public service to the Lone Star State, Angela Colmenero is well equipped to serve as a District Court Judge,” Sen. John Cornyn said in a statement. “I am grateful Angela will bring her exceptional legal acumen, sound judgment, and devotion to the rule of law in this new role, and I look forward to seeing her on the bench.”
Colmenero has served in Gov. Greg Abbott’s office since 2018, where she most recently served as deputy chief of staff. Prior to that, she served as principal deputy general counsel to the governor and deputy general counsel to the governor.
Colmenero previously held various leadership positions for nearly a decade at the Texas attorney general’s office, including as chief of the general litigation division and deputy chief of the special litigation division.
She earned her law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School and her bachelor’s from the University of Texas at Austin.
Cornyn said that it is “no surprise” that President Trump nominated Mitchell.
“Kasdin Mitchell is a well-regarded litigator and a former clerk for some of our nation’s sharpest legal minds,” Cornyn said in a statement. “The Northern District of Texas is fortunate to be gaining such a bright attorney and trusted public servant who will excel on the federal bench, and I am glad she has been confirmed.”
At Kirkland, Mitchell’s practice focuses on complex litigation at the trial and appellate level.
Previously, she clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and U.S. District Judge William H. Pryor Jr. She was also a litigation associate for Maynard Cooper & Gale PC, assistant solicitor general in Alabama and assistant press secretary for First Lady Laura Bush.
Mitchell earned her law degree from Yale Law School and her bachelor’s degree from Yale University.
The Texas Lawbook profiled Mitchell last November in this Asked & Answered.