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USA Today: Biden poised to triple number of Black women on federal appeals courts

UC law dean weighs in on significance

headshot of Cedric Ricks By Cedric Ricks 260-415-8554
2 minute read February 22, 2022

President Biden may make history if he carries through with his promise to appoint a Black woman to the U.S. Supreme Court. Meanwhile, he’s already having an impact on the federal judiciary. 

USA Today reports the White House is poised to triple the number of Black women appellate judges, from four when Biden took office, to at least 13. If all of those women are confirmed by the Senate in coming weeks, it would mean a Black woman will sit on nine of 13 federal appeals courts and would make up about 7% of the nation's 179 appellate judgeships.

Legal scholars argue that besides the significance of having federal courts that reflect the population they serve, it also builds a pool of potential candidates for future high court vacancies. UC Law Dean Verna Williams spoke to USA Today about Biden’s judiciary appointments.

"It's for the judiciary to look more like the country because it adds to the credibility of the legal system," Williams told USA Today.

Read the full USA Today story online.

Featured image is courtesy of Unsplash.

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