George Jarrod Hazel

Nomination Tracker
Nominee Information
	Name: George Jarrod Hazel
	Court: District of Maryland
Progress
	Confirmed 218 days after nomination.
	Nominated: September 25, 2013
	ABA Rating: Substantial Majority Qualified, Minority Well Qualified
	Questionnaire: Questionnaire
	Hearing: December 19, 2013
	QFRs: QFRs (Hover over QFRs to read more)
	Reported: January 16, 2014
	Confirmed: May 1, 2014
	Vote: 95-0

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George Jarrod Hazel was a federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Maryland. Prior to joining the court, he was the Chief Deputy State’s Attorney for Baltimore City and was nominated by President Barack Obama to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland on September 25, 2013.^[1] The United States Senate confirmed Hazel on May 1, 2014 on a vote of 95-0.^[2] Hazel received commission on May 2, 2014.^[3]

Hazel retired on February 24, 2023.^[4]

Education

Hazel earned his B.A., cum laude, from Morehouse College in 1996 and his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center in 1999.^[1]

Professional career

2011-2014: Chief Deputy States' Attorney, Baltimore, Maryland
2008-2010: Assistant United States Attorney, District of Maryland
2005-2008: Assistant United States Attorney, District of Columbia
1999-2004: Attorney, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP^[1]

Judicial career

District of Maryland

George Jarrod Hazel was nominated on September 25, 2013 by President Barack Obama to a seat on United States District Court for the District of Maryland. The seat was vacated by Alexander Williams, who took senior status on May 8, 2013. The President had this to say about the nomination,

“

Throughout their careers, these nominees have displayed unwavering commitment to justice and integrity... Their records of public service are distinguished and impressive and I am confident that they will serve the American people well from the United States District Court bench. I am honored to nominate them today.^[1]^[5]

”

The American Bar Association rated Hazel Qualified with a substantial majority and Well Qualified with a minority.^[6]

Hazel had a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 19, 2013.^[7]

Hazel's nomination was returned by the Senate on January 3, 2014, and he was renominated on January 6th by President Obama.^[8]

Hazel was reported to the full Senate on January 16, 2014 on a voice vote of the Senate Judiciary Committee.^[9] The Senate confirmed Hazel on May 1, 2014 on a vote of 95-0.^[2]

Reactions to nomination

Senator Barbara Mikulski:

“

I was proud to recommend Mr. Chuang and Mr. Hazel to President Obama and am so pleased that they were both nominated to the United States District Court of Maryland... When I consider nominees for the federal bench, I have four criteria: absolute integrity, judicial competence and temperament; a commitment to core constitutional principles, and a history of civic engagement in Maryland. Both of these nominees meet and exceed these standards. Both Mr. Chuang and Mr. Hazel possess the qualities that are needed to make sure the rights of ordinary Americans are protected and have the experience that will allow them serve with an open mind and adhere to the rule of law.^[10]^[5]

”

Senator Ben Cardin:

“

I am confident that Mr. Chuang and Mr. Hazel will make outstanding judges and serve the people of Maryland well... Both have a strong record helping to provide access to justice to low-income residents in our state. Mr. Chuang has a broad range of legal experience in all three branches of the federal government, and is the son of immigrants from Taiwan who came to America seeking freedom and a better life for their family. Mr. Hazel has fought to keep our communities safe as a prosecutor, and is an active member of local organizations.^[10]^[5]

”

Gregg L. Bernstein, a member of the Office of the State's Attorney:

“

We at the State's Attorney's Office are enormously proud that President Obama has nominated George for this distinguished and important position... George has been a valued and integral partner in Baltimore's crime fight, and I am confident his considerable talents and skills will make him an excellent United States District Judge.^[11]^[5]

”

Awards and associations

Awards

2010: Drug Enforcement Agency, Certificate of Appreciation for prosecution of United States v. Butler
2006: United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, Special Achievement Award for consistently excellent performance in the Sex Offense/ Domestic Violence section
2002: Weil, Gotshal & Manges Pro Bono Award given for devoting fifty or more billable hours to pro-bono activities
1997: Georgetown University Law Center, Equal Justice Foundation Fellowship for serving public interest through internship with Mental Health Division of the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia

Associations

1997-Present: Metropolitan Baptist Church

2007-Present: Member of Council of Twelve Advisory Group
2007-Present: Trustee
2006-2008: Chair of Legal Ministry
2005-Present: Board of Deacons
2005-2007: President, MBC Toastmasters Ministry
2004-2006: Christian Discipleship Council^[12]

Noteworthy cases

Third federal judge strikes down census citizenship question (2019)

Judge George Hazel of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland became the third federal judge to strike down the citizenship question on the 2020 U.S. Census on April 5, 2019. Hazel issued a ruling in a consolidated case arguing that the question, in his view, was unconstitutional and a violation administrative law.^[13]

Click here for a full timeline of legal challenges to the citizenship question on the 2020 U.S. Census.