Judge Embry J. Kidd

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Nomination Status:

SJC Hearing: June 5, 2024 (Read NCJW’s letter in support of his nomination)

SJC Markup: July 11, 2024

Cloture Filed: November 12, 2024

Senate Floor Vote: Confirmed November 18, 2024

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes
Confirmed? Pending

NCJW supports Judge Embry J. Kidd. Here’s why:

Embry J. Kidd is a magistrate judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Judge Kidd is an immensely qualified candidate with more than a decade of experience in private practice as well as time as a federal judge and Assistant US Attorney. He has experience in civil rights, international law, and more; is devoted to the rule of law and our Constitution; and is committed to fairness and racial equality. Judge Embry earned a JD from Yale University and a bachelor’s degree from Emory University.

Judge Embry Kidd’s  stance on important issues:

Civil Rights:

Judge Kidd detained until trial Sean Michael Albert who posted an image of a semi-automatic rifle with threats to kill gay people in a mass shooting at Florida State University.

Democracy: 

Judge Kidd held without bond Kenneth Harrelson, an Oath Keeper connected with the January 6 riot, pending his trial in Washington, DC.

Gun Violence Prevention:

As a US Attorney, Judge Kidd was part of the prosecution team through the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods Program,” a nationwide gun violence-reduction strategy and Florida’s Project Safe Neighborhoods. 

Professional career

Experience (and Pro Bono Work):

Judge Kidd has been a United States Magistrate Judge for the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida since 2019. He was an Assistant US Attorney in the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida from 2014 to 2019. From 2009 to 2014, Judge Kidd worked as an associate at Williams & Connolly LLP in Washington, DC. He served as a law clerk for Judge Roger L. Gregory on the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit from 2008 to 2009.

Education: 

Judge Kidd received his JD from Yale Law School in 2008 and his BA from Emory University in 2005.

Professional Affiliations:

Judge Kidd has served as a member of the Paul C. Perkins Bar Association; on the board of directors of the Yale Black Law Students Alumni Association; the steering committee of the Washington, DC chapter of the Yale Law School Alumni Association; a member of the American Bar Association, Virginia Bar, and Washington DC Bar; and Emory University’s Woodruff Alumni Advisory Board Executive Committee.

Pro Bono Work and Personal Affiliations: 

When Judge Kidd worked in Washington, DC, he engaged in pro bono work on behalf of his firm and attended Alfred Street Baptist Church.


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?

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