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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary


For Immediate Release June 4, 1998
                      PRESIDENT CLINTON NOMINATES 
                      THREE TO THE FEDERAL BENCH

President Clinton today nominated Yvette Kane to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Thomas J. Whelan to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the Southern District of California, and James M. Munley to serve as a United States District Court Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

  1. James M. Munley, Middle District of Pennsylvania

Judge Munley, of Archbald, Pennsylvania, received his undergraduate degree from the University of Scranton in 1958, and his LL.B. degree from Temple University School of Law in 1963. Following law school, Judge Munley served as a law clerk to Chief Justice Michael Eagan of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 1963-64. He was then a partner in the law firm of Munley & Munley from 1964-77. He also served, on a part time basis, as a hearing examiner for the Department of Revenue of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from 1973-77; as an arbitrator for the Postal Service Expedited Arbitration Panel from 1972-77; and as an arbitrator for U.S. Steel and the Steel Workers of America from 1970-77. Since 1978, Judge Munley has served as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas for Lackawanna County.

2. Yvette Kane, Middle District of Pennsylvania

Ms. Kane, of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, received her undergraduate degree from Nichollas State University in 1973, and her law degree from Tulane University School of Law in 1976. She then served as a Trial Attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from 1977-78; as an Assistant Attorney General in the Colorado Attorney General's Office from 1978-80; as Deputy District Attorney in the Denver District Attorney's Office from 1980-86; as Deputy Attorney General in the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office from 1986-91; as Chief Counsel for the Independent Regulatory Review Commission from 1991-92; and as a Senior Associate Attorney with the law firm of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis Cohen from 1993-95. Since 1995, Ms. Kane has served as the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

3. Thomas J. Whelan, Southern District of California

Judge Whelan, of San Diego, California, received his undergraduate degree from the University of San Diego in 1961, and his J.D. degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1965. From 1961 to 1969, Judge Whelan served as a Contracts Administrator and Planner/Estimator for the General Dynamics Corporation. From 1969 to 1989, he served as the Deputy District Attorney for the San Diego District Attorney's Office. Since 1990, Judge Whelan has served as a judge on the San Diego Superior Court.

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