New Judicial Nominations to Remedy Two All-White Districts

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 10, 2024 – The Biden administration has kicked off 2024 by announcing six new judicial nominations. Notably, two of these nominees will be the first judges of color to ever serve in their respective districts, which will remedy two of the 25 district courts that have never had a non-white judge.

Among the notable nominee is Amir H. Ali, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, who is an accomplished civil rights litigator and who serves as president and executive director of the MacArthur Justice Center.

Judge Melissa DuBose, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, will be the first person of color to ever serve on the District of Rhode Island. DuBose is also openly gay, bringing important LGBTQ+ representation to the bench.

Jasmine Yoon, nominated to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, is an AAPI woman and would be the first person of color to serve on her district.

Alliance for Justice President Rakim H.D. Brooks issued the following statement:

“The White House’s new slate of judicial nominees sets an exciting tone for the year to come. In 2024, we all know that legal talent exists in every community. Today’s nominations affirm that fact. The people of Rhode Island and western Virginia have never had the opportunity to have their cases heard by a non-white federal judge. Soon, that will no longer be the case.

“There also remains a dearth of former civil rights lawyers on the bench, and we hope to see more nominees like Amir Ali as we work to fill the more than 80 vacancies that remain on the federal bench. We look forward to the Senate bringing the same momentum to advancing these nominees and ensuring every vacancy has been filled by the end of the year.”

Press Contact

Zack Ford
Press Secretary
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