Darrin P. Gayles

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Darrin P. Gayles
Image of Darrin P. Gayles

Nonpartisan

United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Tenure

2014 - Present

Years in position

10

Education

Bachelor's

Howard University, 1990

Law

George Washington University Law Center, 1993

Personal
Birthplace
Peoria, Ill.
Contact

Official website 

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Darrin P. Gayles is a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He is the first openly gay black man to serve on the federal judiciary.[1] On February 6, 2014, President Barack Obama nominated Gayles to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.[2] The United States Senate confirmed Gayles to the court on June 17, 2014, on a unanimous vote of 98-2.[3]


Prior to joining the federal judiciary, Gayles was a judge for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, Civil Division, in Florida. He was appointed by former Governor Charlie Crist on December 23, 2010 to replace former Judge Ronald M. Friedman. He was officially sworn in on April 8. He was elected in 2012 and his term would have expired in January of 2019.[4][5][6]

Education

Gayles received his B.A. degree (in political science) from Howard University in 1990 and his J.D. degree from George Washington University Law School in 1993.[4][7]

Professional career

  • 2011-2014: Judge, Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, Civil Division, in Florida
  • 2004-2011: County Judge, Miami-Dade County Court
  • 1999-2004: Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida
  • 1997-1999: Assistant District Counsel, United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service
  • 1993-1997: Assistant State Attorney, Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office
  • 1992-1993: Legal Intern, United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • 1991: Legal Intern, United States Department of Labor, Director of Civil Rights
  • 1990-1991: Salesman, Woodward & Lothrup[4][7][8]

Judicial career

Southern District of Florida

Nomination Tracker
Fedbadgesmall.png
Nominee Information
Name: Darrin P. Gayles
Court: Southern District of Florida
Progress
Confirmed 131 days after nomination.
ApprovedANominated: February 6, 2014
ApprovedAABA Rating: Majority Qualified, Minority Well Qualified
Questionnaire: Questionnaire
ApprovedAHearing: April 1, 2014
QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more)
ApprovedAReported: May 8, 2014 
ApprovedAConfirmed: June 17, 2014
ApprovedAVote: 98-0


On February 6, 2014, Darrin P. Gayles was nominated by President Barack Obama to fill a vacancy on the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Gayles was nominated to fill a vacancy created when Patricia Seitz took senior status on November 16, 2012. If he is confirmed, Gayles would be the first openly gay black judge of the federal courts. On his nomination and three others:

“ Throughout their careers, these distinguished men and women have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to public service. I am confident they will serve the American people with distinction from the District Court bench.

[9]

”
—President Barack Obama, [2]

Senator Marco Rubio, who blocked the nomination of Willam Thomas by not returning a blue slip, had this to say about the nominations:

“ I do not anticipate having an objection to moving forward on any of these nominations pending the outcome of the customary background check conducted on every nominee.

[9]

”
—Senator Marco Rubio, [1]

As of late March 2014, both Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson submitted their blue slips in support of the nomination of Gayles.[10]

Gayles was rated Majority Qualified, Minority Well Qualified by the American Bar Association.[11]

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing for Gayles on April 1, 2014.[12] Gayles was reported out of the committee on May 8, 2014 by a voice vote.[13]

The United States Senate confirmed Gayles on June 17, 2014, on a vote of 98-0. He is the first openly gay black man to serve on the federal judiciary.[3][1]

Awards and associations

Awards

  • 2013: Legacy 50: South Florida's Most Powerful Black Business Leaders of 2013, Legacy Magazine
  • 2010: Distinguished Alumni Award, Peoria High School
  • 2008: Making and Impact Award, The George Washington University Black Alumni Association
  • 2008: Outstanding Public Service Award, The National Black Justice Coalition
  • 2007: Mentor of the Year Award, St. Thomas University Black Law Students Association
  • 2006: South Florida's Most Influential Black Professional Under 40, Success South Florida Magazine
  • 1999: Dedicated Service Award, Big Brothers'Big Sisters of Greater Miami
  • 1989-1990: Elected Student Member, Howard University Board of Trustees
  • 1989-1990: Howard University's Patricia Roberts Harris Public Affairs Program Fellow
  • 1989: Regional Champion and National Quarter-Finalist, Howard University Speech Team
  • 1986-1990: Howard University Academic Scholarship[8]

Associations

  • 2010-2012: Chairman, Board of Directors, Peter London Global Dance Theater
  • 2010-2011: Advisory Board, Success for Kids, Inc., South Florida
  • 2008-2011: Board of Directors, The George Washington University Law School Alumni Association
  • 2006-Present: Board of Directors, Spellman-Hoeveler American Inn of Court
  • 2002-2004: Board of Directors, BAME Development Corporation of South Florida, Inc.
  • 2001-2011: Board of Trustees, Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
  • 1997-2004: Howard University Alumni Association of South Florida
  • 2000-2004: Acting President
  • 1997-2000: President[8]

2012 election

Gayles was unopposed and automatically re-elected following the primary election on August 14, 2012.[14]

See also: Florida judicial elections, 2012

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 NPR.com, "Black Openly Gay Judge Would Be Federal Bench's First," February 5, 2014
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 White House, "President Obama Announces Intent to Nominate Four to Serve on the United States District Courts," February 5, 2014
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 United States Senate, "On the Nomination (Confirmation Darrin P. Gayles, of Florida, to be U.S. District Judge)," June 17, 2014
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, "Judge Darrin P. Gayles"
  5. ↑ Blogging Black Miami, "Judge Darrin Gayles appointed to Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court," January 3, 2011
  6. ↑ Miami-Dade County, "Judicial Directory," accessed June 3, 2014
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, Press Release: "The Honorable Darrin Gayles to be Officially Sworn in as Circuit Court Judge on Friday, April 8th, 2011
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Senate Judiciary Committee, "Questionnaire for the Nominee," accessed March 3, 2014
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  10. ↑ The Huffington Post, "Marco Rubio Clears Path For First Black, Openly Gay Federal Judge," March 25, 2014
  11. ↑ American Bar Association, "Ratings of Article III Judicial Nominees: 113th Congress," accessed February 13, 2014
  12. ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Judicial Nominations: April 1, 2014," accessed April 4, 2014
  13. ↑ Senate Judiciary Committee, "Results of Executive Business Meeting - May 8, 2014," May 8, 2014
  14. ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "2012 Candidate Listing"

Political offices
Preceded by
- 		United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
2014-Present		 Succeeded by
-


Florida courts

Federal courts:

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida

State courts:

Florida Supreme Court • Florida District Courts of Appeal • Florida Circuit Court • Florida County Court

State resources:

Courts in Florida • Florida judicial elections • Judicial selection in Florida

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