Record Number of Federal Judges Are Black, Latino and Women
In a significant milestone for diversity on the federal bench, a record number of judges are Black, Latino, and women. The growing diversity on the federal courts is a direct result of a concerted effort by the White House and the judicial branch to promote greater representation among the nation’s judges.
The numbers are astonishing. As of January 1, 2022, the federal judiciary now boasts a total of 858 federal judges. Of these, 133 judges are Black or African American, which represents an increase of over 25% from the year 2020. The majority of these judges were appointed during the Biden Administration.
Latino and Latina judges also reached new heights, with 94 appointees, which represents a surge of over 50% compared to the same period in the previous administration.
In addition to the growing diversity among judges from racial and ethnic minority groups, the number of women on the federal bench is also at an all-time high. A staggering 342 of the 858 federal judges, or approximately 40%, are women.
President Biden has pledged to continue prioritizing diversity in his judicial nominations, with the goal of appointing a court that truly reflects the demographics of the United States. His commitment to this initiative has been reinforced by his leadership in the creation of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force in the White House.
The significant strides made towards greater diversity on the federal bench are expected to have a positive impact on the legal system and the broader American society. Many legal scholars argue that a diverse judiciary is more likely to hear cases with diverse perspectives, making decisions that better reflect the nation’s values of fairness, equity, and social justice.
Ultimately, the progress made towards increasing diversity on the federal bench represents a crucial step towards building a more just and inclusive society for all Americans.