Mark Raymond Hornak has been appointed by President Barack Obama as a federal judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Hornak, a partner at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney specializing in civil litigation, now faces Senate confirmation to fill the spot of Judge Donetta Ambrose, who became a part-time senior judge in November.

A recipient of bachelor's and law degrees from the University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Hornak has been at Buchanan Ingersoll since 1982 and a partner since 1989. His specialties include labor and employment law, media defense and governmental representation.

Past clients have included Allegheny County, the Pittsburgh Public Schools, author Joseph Wambaugh, Hearst Television and the New York Times.

A 1981 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Law School, Mr. Hornak served as law clerk to Judge James M. Sprouse, United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.

He has served on the board of a number of local non-profits including the Pittsburgh Foundation, the Pennsylvania Economy League and as past vice chairman of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western Pennsylvania.

In the past he served as a board member and board president of the Steel Valley School District, as battalion chief for the Munhall Volunteer Fire Department and as a former PIAA high schoool basketball official.

"Mark has long been recognized throughout the Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania legal communities as a superb lawyer," Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., said in a statement. "I hope that the Senate will quickly take up his nomination."