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…

51%

of the population are women…

43%

of people living in America are people of color…

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?

...and the diversity of the federal bench should reflect our society

I want federal judges who are fair, independent, and qualified.

Why Do Courts Matter?

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

Meet a Federal Judicial Nominee

Matthew Schwartz

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:

the Second Circuit Court of Appeals

NCJW opposes Matthew Schwartz, here’s why Matthew Schwartz is yet another of President Trump’s personal lawyers who has been rewarded with a nomination to a lifetime seat on the federal bench. He continues to represent Mr. Trump, his family, and affiliated organizations in a civil case involving financial fraud. Beyond his close professional ties to … Continued

Fair? No

Independent? No

Qualified? No

Confirmed? Pending

Learn More

Benjamin Flowers

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:

the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

NCJW opposes Benjamin Flowers. Here’s why: Benjamin Flowers has a record that raises serious concerns about his fitness for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench. Throughout his career, he has repeatedly advanced legal arguments that would narrow longstanding constitutional protections, restrict access to reproductive health care, weaken safeguards for voting rights, and limit protections … Continued

Fair? No

Independent? No

Qualified? No

Confirmed? Pending

Learn More

Anthony Powell

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:

District Court for the District of Kansas

NCJW opposes Anthony Powell Here’s why: Anthony (Tony) Powell has long worked to advance far-right policy agendas, including efforts to attack and undermine reproductive rights, civil rights, and further politicize what should be an independent judiciary. As such, it is clear he would not be a fair or independent judge who remains faithful to constitutional … Continued

Fair? No

Independent? No

Qualified? No

Confirmed? Pending

Learn More

Tony Mattivi

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:

District Court for the District of Kansas

NCJW opposes Tony Mattivi. Here’s why: Tony Mattivi has a record that calls into question his ability to be fair and independent. In the Kansas Attorney General’s office and as head of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, he has taken extreme stands on issues such as reproductive rights and has weaponized his power to the … Continued

Fair? No

Independent? No

Qualified? No

Confirmed? Pending

Learn More

Justin Smith

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:

the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

NCJW opposes Justin Smith. Here’s why: Justin Smith is a partisan loyalist who served as President Trump’s personal attorney, working on the Supreme Court case which granted presidential immunity, and the case seeking to overturn the civil judgement against Trump in the sexual assault case involving E. Jean Carroll. His role in these cases, which … Continued

Fair? No

Independent? No

Qualified? No

Confirmed? Pending

Learn More

Thank you to Alliance for Justice for their extensive research vetting these nominees.