Senator Warner and Senator Jim Webb announced their recommendations today of two judges to fill vacancies on Virginia's two federal district courts.

After seeking advice from state law associations and interviewing candidates, the two senators sent the White House the following recommendations:

Arenda L. Wright Allen of Norfolk to serve as a judge for the District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia, which encompasses the Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, Richmond and Southside areas; and Judge Michael Urbanski of Roanoke to serve as a judge for the District Court of the Western District of Virginia, and the Western District includes Roanoke, the Valley, and Central and Southwest Virginia.

Judge Urbanski currently serves as a Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Virginia, where he has developed a reputation for efficiency and impartiality. From 1989 to 2004, he was the lead litigator at Woods Rogers, a law firm in Roanoke.

Wright Allen is currently a federal Public Defender in Norfolk and had previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney as well as a Naval JAG officer. She has earned numerous honors and awards for excellence in law throughout her career. If nominated, Wright Allen would be the first African-American woman to serve as a Virginia District Court Judge.

The White House will consider the senators’ recommendations before President Obama makes his official nominations.