AFJ Applauds Confirmation of Arianna J. Freeman to the Third Circuit

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 29, 2022 – Today the Senate voted 50–47 to confirm Arianna J. Freeman to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Freeman is the 84th judge nominated by President Biden to be confirmed. 

Arianna Freeman has dedicated her entire legal career to public service through her work at the Federal Community Defender Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. As a public defender, she has represented indigent individuals who are typically incarcerated in state or federal prisons and subject to lengthy criminal sentences. She has experience representing more than 15 individuals facing death sentences through the office’s Capital Habeas Unit and has also argued dozens of federal habeas matters through its Non-Capital Habeas Unit. Since 2016, she has served as that unit’s Managing Attorney, and she has experience practicing before both the federal district and the Third Circuit. She is officially the first Black woman and first woman of color to ever serve on the Third Circuit. 

Kimberly Humphrey, Alliance for Justice Legal Director for Federal Courts, issued the following statement: 

“Arianna Freeman’s confirmation is the latest indication that we are seeing a true renaissance for our federal courts. It is particularly rewarding to see Freeman take her place on the Third Circuit the same week the Supreme Court is formally designating Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson for her first term on the Court. Freeman, like Jackson, has experience as a public defender and will be the first Black woman on her court. Each of these confirmations chips away at the legacy of our courts being dominated by white men with primarily corporate or prosecutorial experience. We hope the Senate continues this important work to fill all the vacancies on our courts with incredible judges like Freeman through the rest of the year.”