Former auto industry attorneys may spell end to the Sixth Circuit stalemate

The Detroit News named names Saturday, reporting that U.S. Attorney Stephen J. Murphy III and Troy attorney Raymond Kethledge may well be nominated to the Sixth Circuit's two open seats. Murphy is a 43 year-old federal prosecutor, former assistant U.S. attorney, and former counsel for General Motors Corporation. Kethledge, 39, clerked for Justice Kennedy, served as counsel to former U.S. Senator Spencer Abraham (also the former head of the U.S. Department of Energy) and an attorney for Ford Motor Company. The confirmations of the youthful Murphy and Kethledge -- they would be the youngest judges on the Sixth Circuit -- would end the nine-year stalemate begun when Republicans blocked Clinton's nominees for the court.