Obama nominates Madison lawyer for 7th Circuit

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President Barack Obama has nominated a Madison attorney to take a spot on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that has been vacant for more than five years.

Donald Schott, partner with Quarles & Brady LLP in Madison, will fill the seat, which is designated for a Wisconsin judge. Schott graduated from Harvard University Law School in 1980.

Schott has been a litigator for more than 30 years. He has tried a wide range of cases, such as energy-related disputes and business fraud, in various state and federal trial and appellate courts. In addition to working as an associate for Quarles & Brady and a managing partner for the firm’s Madison office, Schott was also the Legislative Liaison to the Office of the Governor from 1983 to 1985.

Schott was one of eight candidates chosen for interviews by a commission set up by U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson. The commission failed to produce a full slate of candidates, so Baldwin sent the White House the names of all eight applicants who were interviewed.

Baldwin said she supports Schott’s nomination. Johnson said he will review Schott’s nomination before deciding whether to support it.

The Associated Press also contributed to this report.