Judges who serve in lifetime seats on the federal courts make decisions that impact women, children, and families.  From the schools we can attend to whom we can marry, federal judges impact every aspect of our lives.

Our courts, by the numbers

(as of May 1, 2021)
74%
of all sitting judges are white…

with white men making up 60% of the federal bench.

51%
of the population are women…

yet only 33% of the federal bench

43%
of people living in America are people of color…

yet make up only 26% of the federal bench.

Federal courts should reflect the communities they serve. Bringing diverse experiences and perspectives to the bench allows judges to make better-informed decisions, in addition to increasing public confidence in their rulings.

Because #CourtsMatter, NCJW believes all federal judges must be:

Fair

Do they respect equality and justice for all and understand the impact of the law on everyone?

Independent

Are they impartial, nonpartisan, and not influenced by outside parties or interests?

Qualified

Have they been objectively assessed for their experience, competence, principles, and temperament?

Why Do Courts Matter?

This video was created by Civic Nebraska and Courts Matter Nebraska.

Meet a Federal Judicial Nominee

William Mercer

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
District Court for the District of Montana

NCJW opposes William Mercer. Here’s why: Mr. Mercer’s record raises concerns about his commitment to justice and constitutional principles. As both a federal prosecutor and a state legislator, he has advocated for excessively harsh policies, from appealing reasonable sentences for nonviolent offenses to supporting legislation that would expand mass incarceration. His attempts at redirecting public … Continued

Fair? No
Independent? No
Qualified? No
Confirmed? Pending

Joshua Dunlap

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
District Court for the District of Montana

NCJW opposes Joshua Dunlap. Here’s why: Mr. Dunlap’s record shows a consistent effort to undermine civil rights and democratic norms in support of far-right ideology. He has advocated for broad religious exemptions that would weaken anti-discrimination laws and opposed LGBTQ+ equality measures. He has defended corporate interests, including predatory banks and opioid manufacturers, often at … Continued

Fair? No
Independent? No
Qualified? No
Confirmed? Pending

Eric Tung

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

NCJW opposes Eric Tung. Here’s why: Mr. Tung’s record is indicative of a disturbing pattern of ideological extremism that calls into question his fitness for the federal bench. From his university writings attacking feminism and gender equality to his legal assaults on worker protections, Mr. Tung has consistently defended those in power over vulnerable people. … Continued

Fair? No
Independent? No
Qualified? No
Confirmed? Pending

John Guard

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
District Court for the Middle District of Florida

NCJW opposes John Guard. Here’s why: Mr. Guard has built a career advancing hardline conservative cases, from shielding the Sackler family with a controversial $7.4 billion immunity deal to joining Republican attacks on Dr. Fauci and President Biden’s COVID-19 policies. As Florida’s Attorney General, he defended the state’s 15-week abortion ban and challenged Biden-era immigration … Continued

Fair? No
Independent? No
Qualified? No
Confirmed? Pending

Chad Meredith

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

NCJW opposes Chad Meredith. Here’s why: Chad Meredith’s record raises serious concerns about his ability to serve as a fair and independent federal judge. He has zealously defended anti-abortion laws, including efforts to block clinic licensing and impose medically unnecessary restrictions, earning praise from Kentucky Right to Life. He also defended Kentucky’s Right to Work … Continued

Fair? No
Independent? No
Qualified? No
Confirmed? Pending