Trump nominates David Morales, who declined to sue Trump University, for judge

Mary Ann Cavazos Beckett and Eleanor Dearman | Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller Times

Show Caption Hide Caption Trump nominates David Morales, who declined to sue Trump University President Donald Trump has nominated David S. Morales to fill a Federal Judge vacancy for the Southern District of Texas in Corpus Christi.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — President Trump nominated David S. Morales to fill a federal judge vacancy for the Southern District of Texas in Corpus Christi.

In 2016 Morales' role in then-Attorney General Greg Abbott's Office gained attention. Morales said in a statement that year that he decided not to pursue a $5.4 million lawsuit against Trump and Trump University without discussion with Abbott, now governor.

A federal judge finalized a $25 million settlement between Donald Trump and students of his now-shuttered Trump University on Monday, with New York's attorney general claiming “victims of Donald Trump’s fraudulent university will finally receive the relief they deserve.”

The order from U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel — the same Indiana-born judge Trump called biased because of his "Mexican heritage" — comes a year after he first approved the settlement. It marks the end of two class-action lawsuits and a civil lawsuit from New York accusing Trump of "swindling thousands of Americans out of millions of dollars through Trump University," in the words of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

The judicial seat in Corpus Christi has been vacant for about seven years, longer than any other seat in Texas. It was among several in the state to be declared as judicial emergencies.

In joint statements, U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, both Texas Republicans, praised the selection of Morales and his experience in both public service and private practice. Both called for a "swift" confirmation process.

“I applaud the President for nominating such an experienced attorney to serve the people of south Texas,” Cornyn said in the statement. “David has spent his career mastering complex legal issues in both public service and private practice, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure his swift confirmation.”

Cruz pointed out he's also worked closely with Morales.

“Having worked side-by-side with David in the Texas Attorney General’s Office defending the constitutional rights of Texans, I know firsthand that he will be a principled, passionate defender of the Constitution and the rule of law," Cruz said.

Attorney General Ken Paxton praised Morales as having "an unwavering fidelity to the rule of law and the U.S. Constitution."

“David will respect the proper role of a judge in our constitutional system and will not engage in legislating from the bench," Paxton said. "I am confident he will excel as a federal judge, and I urge the U.S. Senate to quickly confirm him to the bench.”

Trump's nomination will now be sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee for a vote. If the nomination makes it through that committee, it'll be put to a confirmation vote before the full Senate.

The judicial seat was previously held by U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack, who in 2011 took senior status, a form of semi-retirement.

Morales is a partner at Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP. His law practice is focused administrative law, public and higher education law, according to the senators' statement.

"David’s extensive litigation background, his ability to manage both attorneys and substantial litigation dockets, and his calm courtroom demeanor will be a perfect match for the district bench," Marianne Auld, Managing Partner, Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP, said in a statement.

Before private practice he served as deputy general counsel to the University of Texas System Board of Regents, and as general counsel to the governor from 2011-2014, according to his bio on the firm's site.

He spent more than 17 years with the Attorney General's Office in various roles, including deputy attorney general for Civil Litigation and deputy first assistant attorney general.

Morales also served as an ex officio member for two years of the Texas Access to Justice Commission. He's a graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin and St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio.

The district has seven courthouses spread across South Texas including in Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Houston, Laredo, McAllen and Victoria.

The Corpus Christi division of the district alone has 10 counties — Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces and San Patricio.

More: Judge finalizes $25 million Trump University settlement for students of 'sham university'

More: Stephen Reinhardt, liberal circuit court judge, dies at 87

More: Judge says he is a serial underwear stealer, accused of breaking into neighbor's home

Contributing: Josh Hafner. Follow the Caller Times on Twitter: @callerdotcom