Law group gives Alito top rating
Wed Jan 4, 2006 12:36 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Judge Samuel Alito, President George Bush's nominee to the Supreme Court, was rated "well-qualified" on Wednesday by the American Bar Association, the top rating by the lawyers' group.

Alito was given the rating unanimously by the ABA committee, with one recusal among the 15 members. Chief Justice John Roberts also received the top rating during his confirmation process in 2005, as did the two justices selected by then-President Bill Clinton, Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

"Judge Alito is right on track to become Justice Alito, and today's announcement of the ABA rating demonstrates what an overwhelming majority of Americans already believe, that Judge Sam Alito is unquestionably well-qualified to serve on our nation's highest court," Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, a Tennessee Republican, said in a statement.

The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to begin confirmation hearings for Alito, currently an appeals court judge, next Monday. Frist hopes for a vote by the full Senate on January 20.

Bush nominated Alito, a conservative who has served 15 years on a federal appeals court, to succeed Sandra Day O'Connor, a more moderate conservative who is retiring. Alito could potentially shift the court to the right if he is confirmed.

Liberal groups that oppose Alito and conservative organizations that support him stepped up their public relations campaigns this week. Barring some surprise at the hearings next week, Alito appears to be headed for confirmation despite opposition from some Democrats.

The ABA does an extensive peer review. Its committee consists of 15 legal experts from around the country. Leading law school professors and top lawyers with Supreme Court experience also have input.

The ABA says that to win a rating of "well-qualified" the nominee must be at the "top of the legal profession in his or her legal community; have outstanding legal ability, breadth of experience and the highest reputation for integrity; and either demonstrate or exhibit the capacity for judicial temperament."

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