So the Republicans are threatening to filibuster whomever they don't like. Their idea of bipartisanship is a Democrat enforcing republican policies. Whatever.
There are plenty of judges and lawyers out there that are qualified and willing to help their country. Make recess appointments. This Republican party is the party of bitchslap politics (h/t to Josh Marshall TPM). Bush used recess appointments to place Regent ideologues on the bench and in the administration. What is good for the goose...Slap them around a bit, or a lot.
Tell your judicial or executive candidates, this is a one year stint. If you get lucky, it might last, but plan on a year. Power it out and we will thank you for your service. It would be harder for executive appointments that might have to relocate, but for judicial appointments, just get a pool of four candidates for one job and tell them they will work as a tagteam. Hell, you could even start special purpose law firms just to handle the clients of the lawyer/judges on "sabbatical" for a year.