President Donald Trump has nominated Whitney Hermandorfer, a key figure in the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, for a circuit judgeship. Hermandorfer, who currently helms the office's Strategic Litigation Unit, has been lauded by Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti for her extensive legal acumen and unwavering commitment to the rule of law. "President Trump has selected a lawyer's lawyer for this important role," Skrmetti remarked on the announcement.
Hermandorfer's track record includes leading both Tennessee teams and broad coalitions of states in high-stakes cases, a testament to her leadership and legal expertise. According to a statement from the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, her experience spans clerking for a full third of the United States Supreme Court justices and a distinguished career at one of the nation's elite law firms. This extensive background has positioned her as "one of the very best litigators in America," as per Skrmetti.
The pending shift on the Sixth Circuit is not without its bittersweet notes, as Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch’s departure from the court marks the end of an era of service praised for its intelligence, integrity, and humanity. Skrmetti highlighted both Stranch and Hermandorfer's stellar contributions to the legal field and their status as role models. "Both are proud Tennesseans and proud moms, and both are outstanding role models for young attorneys and aspiring judges," he observed.
