WASHINGTON, D.C., July 18, 2023 – Over the past week, the Senate confirmed three outstanding judges who bring extensive experience in civil rights litigation. Their confirmations are long overdue, and they will make an incredible difference on the federal bench.
Rachel S. Bloomekatz was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Throughout her career, she has briefed and argued cases on a broad range of issues, including voting rights, consumers’ and workers’ rights, and gun safety. Bloomekatz’s previous private and public sector roles include serving as a clerk to former Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. She was first nominated in May of 2022.
Tiffany M. Cartwright was confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. A partner at MacDonald Hoague & Bayless, she has notably dedicated her career to civil rights litigation — in particular, cases in which the state government has unlawfully burdened citizens for exercising their constitutional rights, as well as employment discrimination and wrongful conviction cases. She was first nominated in January of 2022.
Judge Myong Joun was confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. A veteran and immigrant, Judge Joun has dedicated his career to criminal defense and civil rights, most recently serving as an Associate Justice of the Boston Municipal Court. He was first nominated in July of 2022.
Alliance for Justice President Rakim H.D. Brooks issued the following statement:
“Three cheers for these monumental confirmations, especially that of Rachel Bloomekatz, who has spent her entire career fighting for the environment, gun safety, and ordinary folks battling corporate greed. For over a year, Alliance for Justice has been drawing attention to extraordinary judicial nominees whose confirmations were languishing due to Republican obstruction. We can finally turn the page as these phenomenal nominees begin the important work of ensuring our courts serve the interests of all people, not just the wealthy and powerful.
“Our only question is: Who’s next? Our courts still have too few movement lawyers on the bench. To paraphrase the late Justice Ginsburg, it won’t be enough until every judge has experience defending the rights of everyday Americans. We are grateful to President Biden, Leader Schumer, and Chairman Durbin for leading on judicial nominations like no other White House and Senate before them. Their past actions portend a bright future. We are anxiously awaiting the next set of future judges.”
Click here to learn more about AFJ’s Confirmations Overdue campaign.