Biden’s Third Slate Honors Commitment To Diversity

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 12, 2021 – This morning President Biden announced his third slate of judicial nominees. Among them were several public defenders, continuing the administration’s commitment to professional diversity. There were also many important milestones for continuing to improve the racial and ethnic diversity of the courts.

First Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Gustavo A. Gelpí, Jr. will be only the second Hispanic judge and second Puerto Rican judge to serve on that circuit.

Second Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Eunice C. Lee will be only the second Black woman to serve on that circuit, and the only judge on that circuit with public defender experience.

Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Veronica S. Rossman is an immigrant who would become the only judge on that circuit with public defender experience.

Lauren J. King, nominated to the Western District of Washington, would become the nation’s third Native American federal judge and the first in Washington state.

Karen M. Williams would become the first Black district court judge to serve in the Camden courthouse of the District of New Jersey.

Angel Kelley would become only the second Asian American and second Black woman district judge to serve the District of Massachusetts.

Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron issued the following statement:

“President Biden made an open commitment to promoting diversity on our courts and he is honoring that commitment with these nominations. Together, Biden and the Senate are ensuring our courts look like and understand the people who will be coming before them. These are also judges who have a demonstrated commitment to equal justice, a refreshing change from the litany of Trump judges with records of turning the clock back on our rights.

“Biden’s nominations are also coming at an incredible pace, as no time can be wasted repairing the damage President Trump and Republican senators did to our courts. With more than 80 federal court vacancies still awaiting nominees and more continuing to open, we can only hope more nominations of this caliber continue to be made at this rate.”