WASHINGTON — The American Bar Association has given its highest rating to Timothy D. DeGiusti, the Oklahoma City attorney nominated for a federal judgeship.

DeGiusti, 44, was given a rating of "well qualified” by the bar association for the judgeship in the western district of Oklahoma, which is based in Oklahoma City.

The University of Oklahoma graduate was nominated by President Bush in February for the position. If confirmed by the Senate, he would fill the seat of retired U.S. District Judge Timothy Leonard.

The American Bar Association's ratings are not binding on the Senate, and the association typically doesn't comment on the ratings except for those for U.S. Supreme Court nominees.

DeGiusti is a partner in the firm of Holladay, Chilton and DeGiusti, where his practice in state and federal courts includes commercial, military and employment law. He served in the U.S. Army's Judge Advocate General's Corps on active duty from 1990 to 1993, then for another 10 years in the JAG reserve.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has yet to hold a hearing on DeGiusti's nomination, and it is not expected to come up this week, said an aide to Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, a member of the committee.