What factors are involved in the process of appointing judges to the United States Courts of Appeals? Utilizing Department of Justice files and interviews with Department of Justice and former Department of Justice officials, with White House and former White House officials, and with judges and former judges, Professor Goldman analyzes the factors that bear upon the decision to appoint. He concludes that judicial appointments are the product of a variety of factors, only one of which is the candidates professional competence. Other important factors are political affiliation, quasi-ideological considerations, and simply being in the right place at the right time.
