Judges who serve in lifetime seats on the federal courts make decisions that impact women, children, and families.  From the schools we can attend to whom we can marry, federal judges impact every aspect of our lives.

Our courts, by the numbers

(as of May 1, 2021)
74%
of all sitting judges are white…

with white men making up 60% of the federal bench.

51%
of the population are women…

yet only 33% of the federal bench

43%
of people living in America are people of color…

yet make up only 26% of the federal bench.

Federal courts should reflect the communities they serve. Bringing diverse experiences and perspectives to the bench allows judges to make better-informed decisions, in addition to increasing public confidence in their rulings.

Because #CourtsMatter, NCJW believes all federal judges must be:

Fair

Do they respect equality and justice for all and understand the impact of the law on everyone?

Independent

Are they impartial, nonpartisan, and not influenced by outside parties or interests?

Qualified

Have they been objectively assessed for their experience, competence, principles, and temperament?

Why Do Courts Matter?

This video was created by Civic Nebraska and Courts Matter Nebraska.

Meet a Federal Judicial Nominee

Amir Ali

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
NCJW supports Amir Ali to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia

NCJW supports Amir Ali. Here’s why: Amir Ali is an acclaimed civil rights lawyer with outstanding qualifications. He has dedicated his career to protecting the rights of all people regardless of race, religion, or background. As President and Executive Director of the MacArthur Justice Center, he has led litigation on several important religious liberty cases … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Adeel A. Mangi

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

NCJW supports Adeel A. Mangi. Here’s why: Adeel A. Mangi is a preeminent lawyer who has secured landmark legal victories throughout his career. As a partner at Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, Mr. Mangi has also devoted thousands of hours to pro bono service, filing numerous amicus briefs in the federal appellate courts and … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Nicole Berner

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

NCJW supports Nicole Berner. Here’s why: Nicole Berner is an accomplished labor lawyer who has dedicated her legal career, spanning two decades, to representing working people and their communities to obtain economic and racial justice, access to health care, and gender and LGBTQ equality. Ms. Berner currently serves as General Counsel of the Service Employees … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

NCJW supports Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez. Here’s why: Judge Irma Ramirez grew up in rural Texas as the daughter of immigrant parents, who both instilled in her a strong appreciation for education and hard work. She has carried these values with her throughout her long career, whether working in a law firm, for the US … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Judge Ana de Alba

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
NCJW supports Judge Ana de Alba to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

NCJW supports Judge Ana de Alba. Here’s why: Judge Ana de Alba’s upbringing as the daughter of Mexican immigrants has shaped her life. Joining her parents in the fields and in homes, tilling the land and cleaning up after others, instilled in her a passion for justice through a legal career. Following law school, Judge … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes