The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights supported and advocated for the confirmation of the following judges and justices who the Senate confirmed during the Biden administration.
Supreme Court
Ketanji Brown Jackson, U.S. Supreme Court
The Leadership Conference supported Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation because of her outstanding commitment to civil and human rights and her superb record as a fair-minded jurist. Prior to her confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court, she served on the federal judiciary, first as a district court judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and then as a circuit court judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. As a judge, she worked to uphold the rights of immigrants, people with disabilities, and working people. Prior to becoming a judge, she served as vice chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission from 2010 to 2014, where she helped implement bipartisan reforms to federal sentencing guidelines that addressed their disproportionate impact on Black and Brown people. Justice Jackson also served in the Office of the Federal Public Defender in the District of Columbia, making her the first ever former public defender to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. She is also the first Black woman to serve on the Court. On April 7, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 53-47.
Circuit Court
Nancy Abudu, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (Georgia)
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Nancy Abudu because she has dedicated her impressive career to defending and protecting our civil rights, including our freedom to vote. After spending years as a civil rights litigator at the ACLU’s Voting Rights Project and the ACLU of Florida, Abudu joined the Southern Poverty Law Center to help establish its Voting Rights Practice Group. She is the first Black woman on the Eleventh Circuit and the first Black person ever to serve in a Georgia seat on this court. On May 18, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 49-47.
Nicole Berner, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (Maryland)
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Nicole Berner because she has the depth and breadth of civil rights experience we need on the federal bench. She has devoted her career to protecting and defending civil and human rights, including serving as general counsel for SEIU, where she worked to advance equal justice for working people. She also has crucial experience as a litigator at Planned Parenthood Federation of America working to protect people’s access to abortion. She is the first openly LGBTQ judge on the Fourth Circuit and only the third openly lesbian woman ever to serve on any federal appellate court. On March 19, 2024, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-47.
Rachel Bloomekatz, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (Ohio)
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Rachel Bloomekatz because she possesses an impressive legal background protecting the rights of all people. Throughout her career advancing equal justice, she has defended the freedom to vote and access to the ballot box. Bloomekatz has also protected the rights of consumers and challenged dangerous policies that would allow teachers without sufficient training to carry firearms. On July 18, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-48.
J. Michelle Childs, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
The Leadership Conference supported Michelle Childs’ confirmation because of her experience as a fair-minded judge and her demonstrated commitment to the rights of all people. From 2010 until her elevation to the D.C. Circuit, she served as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, where she protected equitable access to the ballot box and the rights of LGBTQ couples. Prior to her appointment to the federal bench, she served as a circuit court judge for the South Carolina Judicial Department. Before becoming a judge, she served as a commissioner with the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission and as deputy director of the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. On July 19, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 64-34.
Cindy Chung, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (Pennsylvania)
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Cindy Chung because she has a vast record of defending people and communities who have experienced hate crimes. Since 2014, she has worked at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, holding several positions including deputy chief of the Major Crimes Section and acting deputy chief of the Violent Crimes Section. She was a responding attorney in the aftermath of the hate-motivated mass shooting of Jewish congregants at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Previously, Chung worked as a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, where she was the first lawyer to bring a case to enforce the Shepard-Byrd Hate Crimes Prevention Act. She is the first Asian American to ever serve on the Third Circuit. On February 13, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-44.
Stephanie Davis, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (Michigan)
The Leadership Conference supported Stephanie Davis’ confirmation because of her even-handed approach to the law and experience as an outstanding jurist committed to the rights of all people. From 2019 until her elevation to the Sixth Circuit, Davis served on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, where she previously served as a magistrate judge. As a jurist, she demonstrated a fair-minded approach to the law, protecting the rights of people to freely exercise their religion, the rights of people with disabilities, and our freedom to vote. Before joining the bench, Davis held a number of positions in the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of Michigan. She is the first Black woman from Michigan, and only the second Black woman ever, to serve on the Sixth Circuit. On May 24, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 49-43.
Ana de Alba, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (California)
The Leadership Conference supported Ana de Alba’s confirmation because of her impressive judicial and civil rights experience. Her career has been steeped in defending the rights of working people, having litigated numerous complex cases on workplace harassment and discrimination. In addition to her full caseload while in private practice, de Alba established and ran a Workers’ Rights Clinic, which provided free legal services to workers unable to afford an attorney. When she was confirmed in 2022 to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, she became the first lifetime Latina judge on that court. On November 13, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 48-43.
Roopali Desai, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Arizona)
The Leadership Conference supported Roopali Desai’s confirmation because of her impressive civil rights experience, particularly in the field of voting rights. Prior to her confirmation, Desai worked at Coppersmith Brockelman PLC. Leading the firm’s elections, political, and public law group, she served as an integral part of the litigation team that challenged the onslaught of baseless election fraud allegations that were brought after the 2020 presidential election. Throughout her career, Desai defended the rights of unions, pushed for accountability for the abuse and neglect of foster children, and protected public safety by successfully defending the legality of public health efforts. Desai is the first South Asian judge to serve on the Ninth Circuit. On August 4, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 67-29.
Arianna Freeman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (Pennsylvania)
The Leadership Conference supported Arianna Freeman’s confirmation because of her notable experience in pursuit of equal justice as a public defender specializing in post-conviction relief. Freeman served at the Federal Community Defender Office of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. As a public defender, Freeman assisted clients who could not afford counsel in post-conviction relief, overseeing litigation for those harmed by unconstitutional mandatory minimum sentencing policies. Freeman is the first woman of color, first Black woman, and second former public defender to serve on the Third Circuit. On September 29, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-47.
Brad Garcia, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Brad Garcia because he has a strong record of defending civil rights. For example, he has protected the constitutional rights of people involved in the criminal-legal system, defended abortion access, and protected immigrants from unlawful deportation. Garcia is the first Latino judge to serve on the D.C. Circuit. On May 15, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 53-40.
Gustavo Gelpí, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (Puerto Rico)
The Leadership Conference supported Gustavo Gelpí’s confirmation because of his dedication to equal justice and experience as a fair-minded judge. He previously served as chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, having been confirmed by the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent in 2006. Prior to this, Gelpí served as a magistrate judge for the same court. Before becoming a jurist, Gelpí served in a number of roles, including solicitor general, at the Puerto Rico Department of Justice. He began his legal career as an assistant federal public defender at the office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Puerto Rico, helping to ensure access to justice for people who could not afford an attorney. Gelpí is the second Latino judge ever to serve on the First Circuit. On October 18, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-41.
Ketanji Brown Jackson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
The Leadership Conference supported Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation because of her exceptional qualifications and her commitment to pursuing equal justice under the law. For eight years, she was a fair-minded jurist on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, upholding the rights of immigrants, people with disabilities, and working people. Prior to becoming a judge, she served as vice chair of the U.S. Sentencing Commission and served as a federal public defender. On June 14, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 53-44.
Candace Jackson-Akiwumi, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Illinois)
The Leadership Conference supported Candace Jackson-Akiwumi’s confirmation due to her exemplary record of defending and protecting the rights of all people. She spent most of her legal career as a public defender, representing more than 400 clients who could not afford counsel. Jackson-Akiwumi is the first Seventh Circuit judge who spent most of their career as a public defender. At the time of her confirmation, she was the only judge of color actively serving on the Seventh Circuit and is only the second judge of color to ever serve on this court. On June 24, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 53-40.
Lucy Koh, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (California)
The Leadership Conference supported Lucy Koh’s confirmation because of her dedication to equal justice and public service throughout her illustrative career. Koh served as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California for 11 years, where she demonstrated her even-handed approach to the law, including protection of the integrity of the census. She previously served as a California Superior Court judge and has an impressive background in commercial civil litigation. Koh is the first Korean American woman to serve on a federal appellate court. On December 13, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-45.
Eunice Lee, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (New York)
The Leadership Conference supported Eunice Lee’s confirmation because she has devoted her entire career to pursuing equal justice. For more than 20 years, Lee was an attorney at the Office of the Appellate Defender in New York City, where she represented clients involved in the criminal-legal system who could not afford an attorney. She then served as an assistant federal defender in the Appeals Bureau at the Federal Defenders of New York. Lee is the second Black woman ever to serve on the Second Circuit. On August 7, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-47.
John Lee, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (Illinois)
The Leadership Conference supported John Lee’s confirmation because of his experience as a fair-minded judge and his demonstrated commitment to the rights of all people. Prior to his elevation to the Seventh Circuit, Lee served as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, where he upheld health and safety protections for young people. Lee had already administered equal justice in our appellate courts, sitting by designation on the Seventh Circuit several times and defending the right to privacy for people who had been incarcerated. Prior to his judicial service, he worked in private practice and as a trial attorney for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He is the first Asian American judge to serve on the Seventh Circuit. On September 7, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-44.
Salvador Mendoza, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Washington)
The Leadership Conference supported Salvador Mendoza’s confirmation because of his demonstrated commitment to equal justice, including making sure that people have access to qualified counsel in criminal defense proceedings. From 2014 until his elevation to the Ninth Circuit, Mendoza served as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, where he upheld the rights of migrant farmworkers. Before serving on the federal bench, he had a long judicial career in Benton County and Franklin County, including his time as a superior court judge, district court judge pro tempore, and juvenile court judge pro tempore. In private practice, he specialized in criminal defense litigation with more than half of his caseload pro bono on behalf of clients who could otherwise not afford counsel. Mendoza is the first Latino from Washington to serve on the Ninth Circuit. On September 12, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 46 -40.
Sarah Merriam, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (Connecticut)
The Leadership Conference supported Sarah Merriam’s confirmation because of her experience as a fair-minded judge and her dedication to protecting civil rights, especially as a public defender. From 2021 until her elevation to the Second Circuit, Merriam served on the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, where she also served for more than six years as a magistrate judge. Merriam demonstrated her commitment to the rights of working people even before her legal career as the political director of Connecticut Employees Union Independent/SEIU Local 511. She also spent eight years as an assistant federal defender in the Office of the Federal Defender, defending clients who could not afford an attorney. On September 15, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 53-44.
Lara Montecalvo, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (Rhode Island)
The Leadership Conference supported Lara Montecalvo’s confirmation because of her impressive experience as a public defender and her commitment to pursuing equal justice for all people. Montecalvo served as the Rhode Island Public Defender, overseeing the entire Rhode Island Public Defender’s Office, and she is the second former public defender ever to serve on the First Circuit. She held numerous other positions in the Rhode Island Public Defender’s Office, including chief of the appellate division and trial attorney in both the appellate and trial divisions. Montecalvo helped eliminate the practice of keeping imprisoned those unable to pay fines or fees imposed by courts and helped form a medical-legal partnership with a local Rhode Island health clinic. On September 14, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-47.
Alison Nathan, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (New York)
The Leadership Conference supported Alison Nathan’s confirmation because of her fair-minded approach to the law as a district court jurist and her strong commitment to civil and human rights. For nearly 10 years prior to her elevation to the Second Circuit, Nathan served as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where she upheld the freedom to vote, protected the rights of immigrants, and recognized the rights of students to access equitable education. Prior to this, Nathan served as special counsel to the solicitor general in the Office of the Attorney General of New York, and as special assistant to the president and associate counsel in the White House Counsel’s Office. Nathan is the second openly LGBTQ woman to serve on any federal appellate court. On March 23, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 49-47.
Myrna Pérez, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (New York)
The Leadership Conference supported Myrna Pérez’s confirmation because of her pursuit of equal justice for all and her exceptional experience protecting voting rights. For 15 years, Pérez led the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law’s Voting Rights and Election Program, where she worked to defend the freedom to vote and safeguard our democracy. She is the second Latina to ever serve on the Second Circuit. On October 25, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 48-43.
Julie Rikelman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (Massachusetts)
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Julie Rikelman because she has devoted her career to pursuing equal justice under the law. As litigation director at the Center for Reproductive Rights, she has defended our right to bodily autonomy, including our right to access abortion. Rikelman has also defended the freedom to vote. Her commitment to civil and human rights stems from her experiences as a child fleeing Soviet-controlled Kiev to escape religious persecution. Rikelman is the first immigrant woman and first Jewish woman to serve on the First Circuit. On June 20, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 51-43.
Beth Robinson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (Vermont)
The Leadership Conference supported Beth Robinson’s confirmation because of her distinguished career as a judge and her steadfast commitment to civil rights. She spent 10 years serving as an associate justice on the Vermont Supreme Court. Previously, she specialized in employment law with a focus on workers’ compensation claims, supporting the rights of working people during her nearly two decades as a civil litigator. Her tireless work on litigation and policy advocacy were instrumental in advancing the rights of the LGBTQ community and laid the groundwork to make Vermont one of the first states to recognize marriage equality for same-sex couples. Robinson is the first openly lesbian judge to serve on any federal appellate court. On November 1, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 51-45.
Veronica Rossman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (Colorado)
The Leadership Conference supported Veronica Rossman’s confirmation because of her significant experience protecting and defending the rights of people who have been accused of crimes. She possesses more than 10 years of experience as a public defender, where she represented clients who could not afford an attorney. On September 20, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-42.
Jennifer Sung, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Oregon)
The Leadership Conference supported Jennifer Sung’s confirmation because of her steadfast commitment to protecting civil rights and her experience as an even-handed adjudicator. Sung served as a member of the Oregon Employment Relations Board, resolving labor disputes on issues impacting 250,000 workers. Previously, she served as a civil litigator on employment and labor issues, fighting for the rights of working people and against violations of union contracts and retaliatory terminations. Sung also worked for the Economic Justice Project at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. She is the first Asian American from Oregon to serve on the Ninth Circuit. On December 15, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-49.
Holly Thomas, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (California)
The Leadership Conference supported Holly Thomas’ confirmation because of her deep commitment to civil and human rights, including her notable work to further educational equity. She served as a judge on the Los Angeles Superior Court. Prior to her judicial service, Thomas worked to uphold civil rights at the New York State Attorney General’s Office of the Solicitor General, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. At the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, she strove to protect the freedom to vote, ensure educational equity, and hold police accountable for misconduct. Thomas is the first Black woman from California, and only the second Black woman ever, to serve on the Ninth Circuit. On January 20, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 48-40.
District Court
Daniel Calabretta, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Daniel Calabretta because he is an accomplished jurist with a commitment to civil and human rights. He currently serves as the presiding judge of the juvenile court in the Superior Court of California for the County of Sacramento. When he joined that court as a superior court judge in 2019, he became the first openly gay man ever appointed to that court. Calabretta previously worked for the office of the governor as deputy legal affairs secretary and spent five years as deputy attorney general for the California Department of Justice. He is the first openly LGBTQ person ever to serve on the Eastern District of California. On February 16, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 51-45.
Tiffany Cartwright, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Tiffany Cartwright because she possesses an impressive background as a civil rights attorney. Since 2014, she has specialized in civil rights litigation at MacDonald Hoague & Bayless, where she has defended the rights of people who were wrongly convicted of crimes and held police officers accountable for their misconduct. Cartwright also has an extensive background defending the rights of working people. On July 12, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-47.
Nusrat Choudhury, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Nusrat Choudhury because she has worked tirelessly challenging discriminatory policies that target communities of color. Throughout her impressive career at the ACLU, she has challenged modern-day debtors’ prisons, racially discriminatory policies, and unlawful surveillance of religious minorities. Choudhury is the first Muslim woman and first Bangladeshi American ever to serve as a lifetime federal judge. On June 15, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-49.
Jessica Clarke, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Jessica Clarke because she has spent her career working to protect and defend the civil and human rights of all of us. She has served as chief of the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Office of the Attorney General since 2019, and she has experience investigating and litigating housing discrimination cases as a trial attorney in the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. On March 16, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 48-43.
Jia Cobb, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
The Leadership Conference supported Jia Cobb’s confirmation because of her impressive experience as a civil rights attorney and public defender. For nearly 10 years, she worked at Relman Colfax PLLC, a national plaintiff-side civil rights firm. Previously, Cobb spent six years at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, helping to ensure that the rights of people accused of crimes are protected. On October 26, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-45.
Jeffrey Cummings, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Jeffrey Cummings because he has devoted his career to equal justice. Before becoming a magistrate judge for the Northern District of Illinois, Cummings litigated numerous complex cases involving civil rights issues, including workplace harassment and discrimination. He also spent nearly a decade representing Black voters challenging a Chicago redistricting map that diluted the voting strength of Black and Latino/a voters, eventually securing a victory for his clients. On September 12, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-45.
Susan DeClercq, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Susan DeClercq because she has significant experience enforcing critical civil rights laws. She spent 18 years with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, holding numerous positions including assistant U.S. attorney for the civil rights unit and the defensive litigation unit, civil rights unit chief, and civil division chief. In particular, she has worked extensively for those who have been discriminated against based on their disability. She is the first East Asian lifetime federal judge, and only the second AAPI woman lifetime federal judge, in Michigan. On October 4, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-42.
David Estudillo, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of David Estudillo because of his extensive experience as a fair-minded adjudicator and his commitment to equal justice for all. For nearly six years, he served as a state court judge on the Grant County Superior Court in Washington, where he presided over more than 1,000 cases. Previously, Estudillo operated his own immigration law firm, representing individuals seeking asylum, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals protections, work authorizations, temporary protected status, and citizenship. Estudillo is the second Latino judge to ever serve on this court. On September 14, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 54-41.
Margaret Garnett, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Margaret Garnett because she has significant experience holding those in positions of power accountable for their actions. In addition to her 15 years of service with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, she served as commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), the oversight agency charged with rooting out fraud. In this role, Garnett oversaw investigations of complaints against city employees, including the investigation into the New York Police Department’s shameful handling of the protests in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. On November 28, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 49-46.
Sarah Geraghty, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
The Leadership Conference supported Sarah Geraghty’s confirmation because of her impressive experience defending civil rights and rooting out discrimination and disparities within the criminal-legal system. From 2003 until her confirmation, Geraghty worked at the Southern Center for Human Rights, serving as staff attorney, managing attorney for impact litigation, and eventually senior counsel. Throughout her career, Geraghty challenged discriminatory practices in the criminal-legal system, including excessive and inappropriate bail and the unconstitutional confinement of women with mental health illnesses. Previously, she served as a staff attorney for the Office of the Appellate Defender, which gave her invaluable and underrepresented experience. Geraghty is the first former public defender to serve on this court. On March 31, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-48.
Margaret Guzman, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Margaret Guzman because she is a distinguished jurist with an outstanding commitment to equal justice. She currently serves as the first justice for the Ayer District Court and was previously an associate justice for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Trial Court. Prior to her judicial service, Judge Guzman served for 13 years as a public defender, representing clients who could not afford an attorney and helping them navigate the complex criminal-legal system. She is the first Latina ever to serve on the District of Massachusetts. On March 1, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 49-48.
Elizabeth Hanes, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
The Leadership Conference supported Elizabeth Hanes’ confirmation because of her impressive judicial and legal experience protecting the rights of all people, including her service as a public defender and work on consumer protection litigation. Prior to her elevation as a lifetime federal judge, Hanes served as a magistrate judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. She led the drug court program for the Richmond Division of the Eastern District of Virginia, which seeks to help people on probation or supervised release with a history of substance abuse by providing them with treatment and mental health resources. Hanes spent seven years as an assistant federal public defender for the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of Virginia, representing clients who could not afford an attorney. On August 2, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 59-37.
Sara Hill, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
The Leadership Conference supported Sara Hill’s confirmation because her career is steeped in public service, and she possesses significant expertise in Indian law that is greatly needed on our federal judiciary. As attorney general for the Cherokee Nation, she oversaw all litigation to which the Cherokee Nation was a party, including several important Indian law cases that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. A Cherokee citizen, Hill is the first Native American woman ever to serve a lifetime appointment on any federal district court in Oklahoma and only the eighth Native American ever to serve as a lifetime federal judge in our nation’s history. On December 19, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-14.
Dale Ho, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Dale Ho because throughout his extensive legal career, he has advanced the rights of all people. As director of the voting rights project at the ACLU, Ho has protected civil rights by defending the freedom to vote. He has successfully challenged the Trump administration’s efforts to add a citizenship question to the census and opposed its efforts to exclude unauthorized immigrants from calculations used to determine representation in Congress. On June 14, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-49.
Kelley Hodge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
The Leadership Conference supported Kelley Hodges confirmation because of her demonstrated commitment to civil rights, including her impressive work rooting out disparities in the criminal-legal system and her experience ensuring that schools are safe and inclusive. Hodge spent six years as an assistant public defender and senior assistant public defender in the Richmond Public Defender’s Office, where she worked to ensure that all people had access to qualified counsel. Later, as the first Black woman to serve as District Attorney for the city of Philadelphia, Hodge expanded resources to respond to hate crime allegations, worked to combat voter intimidation, and implemented programs to address bullying in schools. She also worked to ensure that schools and universities were safe and inclusive for all students as a Safe Schools Advocate for the Philadelphia School District and a Title IX coordinator at the University of Virginia. Hodge is one of two Black women actively serving on this court and just the third in the court’s history. On December 6, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-44.
Myong Joun, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Myong Joun because he has spent his career in pursuit of equal justice. Before becoming an associate justice of the Boston Municipal Court, he spent many years in private practice focused on criminal defense matters, successfully representing people whose constitutional rights were violated by the government. His significant pro bono experience included representing people who were unable to afford an attorney, thus ensuring they had access to justice. Joun is the first Asian American man to ever serve on this court and on any court in the First Circuit. On July 12, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-46.
Lauren King, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
The Leadership Conference supported Lauren King’s confirmation because of her commitment to civil rights and her significant experience in tribal law. For nearly 10 years, King was an attorney at Foster Garvey PC, where she chaired the firm’s Native American Law Practice Group. Since 2013, she served as a pro tem appellate judge with the Northwest Intertribal Court System. King is only the sixth Native American to ever serve as an Article III judge and the first Native American to serve in the state of Washington. On October 5, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 55-44.
Eumi Lee, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
The Leadership Conference supported Eumi Lee’s confirmation because she is an experienced jurist who has dedicated much of her career to rooting out disparities in our criminal-legal system. Prior to her confirmation, she served since 2018 as a fair-minded judge for the Alameda County Superior Court and was the court’s first Korean American judge. Before this, she held several positions at the University of California College of Law, San Francisco, including co-director of the Hastings Institute for Criminal Justice, ethics trainer, clinical professor, associate clinical professor, clinical attorney, and moot court, legal research & writing instructor. She is the third AAPI woman and fifth AAPI person to become a lifetime judge on this court. On March 20, 2024, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-49.
Rita Lin, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
The Leadership Conference supported Rita Lin’s confirmation because she is a fair-minded jurist with critical experience working towards equal justice for all. During her 10 years in private practice, she took on significant pro bono work, including important LGBTQ rights cases and cases defending the rights of people living with disabilities. Lin is only the second Asian American woman — and the first Chinese American woman — to serve as a lifetime judge on this court. On September 19, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-45.
Tana Lin, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
The Leadership Conference supported Tana Lin’s confirmation due to her exceptional career and demonstrated commitment to upholding civil and human rights. For more than 15 years, she practiced law at Keller Rohrback L.L.P. in Seattle, helping to advance the rights of consumers and employees through class action litigation. Previously, she worked at the Michigan Poverty Law Program, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. She also has experience as a public defender in the District of Columbia. Lin is the first Asian American judge to serve on this court. On October 21, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-45.
Nancy Maldonado, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
The Leadership Conference supported Nancy Maldonado’s confirmation because of her dedication to the rights of working people and impressive career in employment law. Prior to her confirmation, Maldonado was a partner at Miner, Barnhill & Galland, P.C., specializing in representation for workers facing employment discrimination and other civil rights litigation. Throughout her career, Maldonado defended the rights of migrant farmworkers, including litigating in support of proper overtime compensation and paid rest breaks for workers and challenging unfair labor practices that violated the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. She also challenged a racially discriminatory tax assessment plan in Cook County that intentionally over-assessed houses in low-income neighborhoods. She is the first Latina to serve as a lifetime federal judge in Illinois. On July 19, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 53-45.
Araceli Martínez-Olguín, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Araceli Martínez-Olguín because she has spent her entire career in pursuit of equal justice for all. She has defended the rights of immigrants in her work at the National Immigration Law Center and Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto. Martínez-Olguín also has notable civil rights experience working at the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education, the American Civil Liberties Union’s Women’s Rights Project and Immigrants’ Rights Project, Legal Aid at Work, and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. She is the second Latina ever to serve on the Northern District of California. On February 28, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 49-48.
Natasha Merle, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Natasha Merle because she has demonstrated her deep commitment to equal justice throughout her notable career. As the deputy director of litigation at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., she has led critical civil rights lawsuits on the freedom to vote and discriminatory sentencing practices. Merle has also served as a federal public defender, fighting bias in our criminal-legal system and defending clients who could not afford an attorney. On June 21, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-49.
Nina Morrison, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
The Leadership Conference supported Nina Morrison’s confirmation because of her demonstrated experience pursuing equal justice for all and, in particular, her extensive work defending the rights of those wrongfully convicted. Morrison spent 20 years at the Innocence Project working as a senior staff attorney, executive director, and senior litigation counsel. At the Innocence Project, Morrison helped to exonerate those serving time for crimes they did not commit, and as a result of her tireless efforts, 30 people in more than 10 states were freed from prison or death row. Morrison is the second openly LGBTQ judge on this court. On June 8, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 53-46.
Michael Nachmanoff, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
The Leadership Conference supported Michael Nachmanoff’s confirmation because of his significant experience as a public defender and fair-minded judge. He served for six years as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the Eastern District of Virginia and for 13 years in the Eastern District of Virginia’s Office of the Federal Public Defender, representing and defending the rights of clients who could not afford an attorney. He helped develop the district’s first drug court and oversaw a re-entry program for people with a history of substance abuse who had been convicted. On October 27, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-46.
Adrienne Nelson, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Adrienne Nelson because she has significant experience as a fair-minded jurist. She currently serves as an associate justice on the Oregon Supreme Court, and previously spent 12 years as a circuit court judge on the Multnomah County Circuit Court. Nelson was the first Black woman to serve on both of these courts. She began her legal career at the Texas Council on Family Violence, supporting efforts to eradicate domestic violence through public policy and direct services, and served for three years as a public defender with Multnomah Defenders, Inc. Nelson is the first woman of color and first Black woman ever to serve on the District of Oregon. On February 15, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-46.
Shanlyn Park, U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
The Leadership Conference supported the nomination of Shanlyn Park because she has dedicated her career to fighting for equal justice for all. For 20 years, she served in the federal public defender’s office for the District of Hawaii, first as an assistant federal public defender and then as a senior litigator, representing clients who could not afford an attorney to ensure they had access to justice. Park is the first Native Hawaiian woman ever to serve as a lifetime federal judge and the second former public defender to serve as a lifetime judge on this court. On November 30, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 53-45.
Mia Perez, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
The Leadership Conference supported Mia Perez’s confirmation because of her outstanding commitment to protecting civil rights, including her experience as a public defender. From 2016 until her confirmation to this court, Perez served as a judge with the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas. Previously, she worked in private practice at her own firm, as counsel with Jalon and Rossman, and as an associate attorney with Friedman Schuman. During her time at Friedman Schuman, she defended the rights of LGBTQ people when she helped pass a local ordinance that prohibited discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. She worked to defend the constitutional rights of people accused of wrongdoing in private practice and as a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel, where she served as court-appointed counsel for people unable to pay for legal services. Perez began her legal career as a public defender, spending four years as an assistant defender with the Defender Association of Philadelphia. She is the first Asian American judge, and only the second Latina judge, to ever sit on this court. On December 7, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-43.
Casey Pitts, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Casey Pitts because he has dedicated his career to protecting and defending the rights of working people. Through complex litigation, collective bargaining sessions, and grievance arbitration, he has successfully challenged unfair labor practices across the country. Pitts is the only openly LGBTQ judge actively serving on the Northern District of California. On June 14, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 53-46.
Mónica Ramírez Almadani, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Mónica Ramírez Almadani because she has displayed an outstanding commitment to equal justice throughout her career. Through her work at the ACLU, the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, the University of California Irvine School of Law’s Immigrant Rights Clinic, and pro bono legal services organization Public Counsel, she has steadfastly defended the rights of vulnerable communities, including immigrants and those facing discrimination. At the time of her confirmation, Ramírez Almadani was the only Latina serving as a lifetime judge on this court. On November 9, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 51-44.
Kai Scott, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
The Leadership Conference supported Kai Scott’s confirmation because of her experience ensuring equal access to justice and her commitment to the rights of those involved in the criminal-legal system. Prior to her confirmation to this court, Scott served as a judge in the Court of Common Pleas Criminal Trial Division, where she worked to support formerly incarcerated people and those charged for the first time. She also oversaw the MENTOR program, a reentry program that matches formerly incarcerated people with mentors to provide them with support, including job training and trauma-informed counseling, and allows those who complete the program to receive a significantly reduced probation period. Prior to serving as a judge, Scott worked for 15 years as a public defender, including serving as an assistant federal defender, chief of the trial unit with the Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and assistant defender with the Defender Association of Philadelphia. She is one of two Black women actively serving on the district court and just the fourth in the court’s history. On December 7, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 50-42.
Margaret Strickland, U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
The Leadership Conference supported Margaret Strickland’s confirmation because of her proven record of defending civil rights. In private practice, she divided her caseload between civil rights litigation and criminal defense; half of her criminal defense work was pro bono. As a pro bono criminal defense lawyer and a trial lawyer at the Law Offices of the Public Defender, New Mexico, Strickland played a critical role in our criminal-legal system — ensuring that people had access to counsel. On September 21, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 52-45.
Charlotte Sweeney, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
The Leadership Conference supported Charlotte Sweeney’s confirmation because of her impressive civil rights background protecting the rights of working people. Throughout her career, she defended the rights of working people through litigation, fighting wage and employment discrimination on the basis of sex, national origin, and disability. Sweeney also helped to pass Colorado’s Equal Pay for Equal Work Act in 2019, which strengthens protections against wage discrimination on the basis of sex. Sweeney is the first openly LGBTQ federal judge in Colorado and the first openly LGBTQ woman to serve on any federal district court west of the Mississippi River. On May 25, 2022, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 48-46.
David Urias, U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
The Leadership Conference supported David Urias’ confirmation because of his impressive legal career and extensive civil and human rights experience. For 13 years, he worked in private practice at Freedman Boyd Hollander Goldberg Urias & Ward, P.A., where he protected the rights of immigrants against discriminatory policies, including the inhumane separation of families. Previously, Urias worked at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) as a civil rights fellow and staff attorney. On December 17, 2021, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 45-26.
Hernán Vera, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Hernán Vera because he has dedicated his career to equal justice. Before serving as a judge on the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Vera served for 12 years at Public Counsel, the largest pro bono law firm in the nation, where he created an impact litigation department for economic injustice. He also served as an attorney at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. On June 13, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 51-48.
Jamal Whitehead, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
The Leadership Conference supported the confirmation of Jamal Whitehead because of his commitment to and work defending and protecting the rights of all people. He has an impressive record as a civil rights lawyer, representing people who experienced racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and disability discrimination in the workplace. He is also the first nominee from this administration known to be living with a disability. Whitehead is the only Black judge in active service on the Western District of Washington. On February 28, 2023, the Senate confirmed the nomination by a vote of 51-43.