Washington • Magistrate David Nuffer received nothing but praise from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, making it highly likely that the Senate will confirm him to be Utah's next District Court judge in the weeks to come.

The friendly confirmation hearing gave Nuffer the opportunity to credit his wife, Lori, for setting an example that has helped him become a better judge.

"It seemed very busy sometimes in our family of seven children and I think the management skills, the being able to listen to everyone and pay attention to everyone and their needs, is something she is very good at. And it's something I have tried to learn from and exercise in the courtroom to make sure everyone is fully heard," he said.

If confirmed, Nuffer won't move into Utah's federal courts building, he'll simply be changing offices. Since 1995, he has served as a magistrate judge in Utah, assigned to assist district court judges by hearing different cases or early procedural hearings. He became the state's chief magistrate judge in 2009.

That's the same year he applied to be a district judge, hoping to take the spot previously held by Judge Dale Kimball, who has taken senior status and a reduced caseload.

He met with Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, and then with former Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, about the opening. He has since won the approval of Utah Sens. Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee, both of whom worked as attorneys and sit on the Judiciary Committee.

They introduced Nuffer on Tuesday and encouraged senators to support his nomination.

"Judge Nuffer is widely known in Utah's legal community and just as widely respected," said Hatch, noting that the nominee is an expert in judicial technology. "When he is confirmed, as I know he will be, Judge Nuffer will help make the law and the court system more accessible to all of our citizens."

Lee spoke from personal experience, saying: "I'm one of those lawyers who has appeared in front of him and I found him to be a judge who was unusually well informed, well prepared and exercises exceptionally good judgment."

The committee did not vote on Nuffer's nomination on Tuesday, that is expected to take place in an executive session soon. Then his nomination will go before the full Senate.

Nuffer, 59, is a former president of the Utah State Bar, who worked in private practice throughout the St. George area. He was also active in the Washington County Democratic Party before joining the bench.

In his judicial questionnaire, Nuffer said he hoped to continue teaching one class a year at Brigham Young University's law school, his alma mater. Outside of court, Nuffer has been active in the Boy Scouts of America and the Leavitt Institute for International Development.

President Barack Obama nominated him on June 29. Utah's district court still has one vacancy.

mcanham@sltrib.com