AFJ Renews Call for Diversity on the Connecticut Supreme Court
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 29, 2024 – Today Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced he will nominate Associate Justice Raheem Mullins to fill the chief justice vacancy on the Connecticut Supreme Court. This will ensure that even after the retirement of Chief Justice Richard Robinson, a person of color continues to occupy this important leadership position.
In terms of filling the new associate justice vacancy that Mullins will leave behind, it remains imperative to consider both professional and demographic diversity. The Connecticut Supreme Court has never had a woman of color as a justice, an oversight due to be rectified. Moreover, the court is in desperate need of professional diversity, with former prosecutors overwhelmingly represented. Now is the time to appoint a justice with experience as a public defender or litigating civil and human rights.
Jake Faleschini, Justice Program Director at Alliance for Justice, issued the following statement:
“State supreme courts are as important as ever as they handle essential questions on reproductive health, voting rights, and more. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has the opportunity to add overdue diversity to the Connecticut Supreme Court, which will improve its ability to serve the people of Connecticut. We know that professional diversity impacts how the court considers issues, and it is currently lopsided with former prosecutors and corporate lawyers. Likewise, in a state with significant racial diversity, it is inexcusable that a Black woman has never served as a justice. We congratulate Justice Mullins on the promotion and implore the governor to make the most of the vacancy created by his elevation by nominating one of the many extremely qualified people in Connecticut who would bring both demographic and professional diversity to the position.”