Judge Cynthia Valenzuela Dixon Brings Important Civil Rights Experience to Federal Bench

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patrick McNeil, [email protected]

WASHINGTON — Lena Zwarensteyn, senior director of the fair courts program and an advisor at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Judge Cynthia Valenzuela Dixon to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California:

“The Leadership Conference celebrates today’s confirmation of Judge Cynthia Valenzuela Dixon — a fair-minded jurist and former civil rights lawyer — to the federal bench. Judge Valenzuela’s exceptional legal experience, including overseeing extensive litigation work at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, demonstrates the kind of deep commitment to protecting and defending the rights of all people that we need in the federal judiciary. She would also bring crucial lived experience to the Central District of California as only the fourth Latina lifetime judge to serve on this court — and the second appointed by President Biden.

“We’re grateful that the president nominated Judge Valenzuela, and we thank Senators Butler and Padilla for their incredible leadership and commitment to improving our judiciary. Time is of the essence to strengthen our democracy and continue the vital work of filling all remaining judicial vacancies with fair-minded nominees before the end of the year.”

Judge Valenzuela is the 38th Latino/a lifetime judge, and the 23rd Latina lifetime judge, confirmed during the Biden administration. President Biden has now appointed more Latino/a lifetime judges than any former president, including presidents who served two terms.

Read The Leadership Conference’s letter in support of the confirmation of Judge Cynthia Valenzuela. The Leadership Conference, joined by 150+ other national organizations, wrote to senators urging them to confirm all pending judicial nominees before the end of the Biden administration.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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