Crawford will replace U.S. District Court Judge William Sessions, who accepted senior status this month. Crawford will join Judge Christina Reiss on the federal bench for the Vermont district.
Crawford joined the Vermont Supreme Court in October, replacing retiring Justice Brian Burgess, who was appointed by former Republican Gov. Jim Douglas in 2005. Crawford was nominated to the federal post by Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“Justice Crawford came highly recommended, well qualified, and broadly experienced,” Leahy said in a news release Tuesday. “He’s a well-grounded Vermonter and a good fit for Vermont and our federal court. I appreciate the bipartisan cooperation that has helped me steer his nomination through this intricate process in pretty much record time. His prompt confirmation will ease the transition.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., also praised the appointment.
“Justice Crawford is both well respected and well liked,” Sanders said. “He is admired by other judges and by the lawyers who practiced before him during the 11 years he served as a state court judge. I am confident that he will be a fair and impartial federal judge and that everyone in his courtroom will be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
Crawford’s departure leaves a vacancy on the Vermont Supreme Court, which will be filled by a nominee from a list to be submitted to Gov. Peter Shumlin.
“I commend the U.S. Senate for its good judgment in unanimously confirming Justice Crawford to the federal bench for Vermont,” Shumlin said in a statement. “Justice Crawford is both well respected in the legal community and known for his kind heart and compassion. He will be a great addition to the federal bench, in the proud tradition of the other Vermonters who have come before him. I anticipate that the Judicial Nominating Board here in Vermont will begin soliciting nominations to replace him on the Vermont Supreme Court, and look forward to receiving those names when the panel has concluded its work.”
Crawford earned an undergraduate degree from Yale and a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1980. From 1980 to 1981 he served as a law clerk to Hon. Albert W. Coffrin for the U.S. District Court, for the District of Vermont. From 1981 to 1984 he was an associate at Burlingham, Underwood & Lord in New York City. From 1984 to 1987 he was an associate at Manchester & O’Neill. In 1987 he and Jerome F. O’Neill formed the firm of O’Neill, Crawford & Green, where he practiced until 2002. In November 2002 he was appointed as a Vermont Superior Court judge by Governor Howard Dean. In October 2013 he was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court by Governor Peter Shumlin. He and his wife have raised five children.
