NCJW supports Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez. Here’s why:
Judge Irma Ramirez grew up in rural Texas as the daughter of immigrant parents, who both instilled in her a strong appreciation for education and hard work. She has carried these values with her throughout her long career, whether working in a law firm, for the US government, or as a magistrate judge. Her experience ranges from employment discrimination, contract disputes, energy sector cases, and insurance claims to civil rights, personal injury, Social Security, organized crime, and money laundering. As a magistrate judge, she has issued almost 5000 written opinions and prior to becoming a United States Magistrate Judge, she handled and argued cases before the very court to which she has been nominated. Her diverse background and experiences would be welcome on the Fifth Circuit, which serves a majority population comprised of people of color and women, given the types of cases and people that would come before her. If confirmed, Judge Ramirez would be the first Latina judge on the Fifth Circuit — covering Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas — important representation as the Latino population in Texas alone has grown by 20% over the last ten years.
Judge Irma Carrillo Ramirez’s stance on important issues:
First Amendment and Free Speech
Judge Ramirez has handled prisoner litigation alleging denial of access to courts, retaliation for filing grievances, and violations of the Religious Land Use and Incarcerated Persons Act as well as presided over cases involving intellectual property issues, including patent, trademark infringement, and copyright infringement actions.
Recidivism
In her Senate Questions for the Record, Judge Ramirez stated: “I have seen participants in reentry courts benefit from the additional resources, individualized attention, and extra support and encouragement they receive from a multi-disciplinary reentry team comprised of probation officers, treatment providers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, community partners, and judges. Increased accountability resulting from more intensive supervision through a reentry court program can also be an important tool in helping addicts recover from addiction and reducing Recidivism.” And “I agree that treatment courts play an important role in our criminal justice system by helping reduce recidivism, and I sincerely hope to be able to continue my work in this area as a circuit judge, if I am confirmed.”
Education and Awards:
Judge Ramirez graduated with her BA from West Texas State University in 1986 and received her JD from Southern Methodist Dedman University School of Law in 1991. Ramirez has received many awards, including the La Luz Achievement Award from the Dallas Hispanic Bar Association, Judge of the Year Award from the State Bar of Texas’ Hispanic Issues Section, Dallas Women Lawyers Association’s Louise B. Raggio Award, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law Distinguished Alumni Award for Judicial Service, and the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas Estrella Award. Judge Ramirez was also a Dallas Hispanic Law Foundation Fellow.
Experience and Pro Bono Work:
Following law school, Judge Ramirez worked for the prestigious Dallas law firm, Locke, Lord, Bissell, & Liddell LLP. In 1995, she served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, working in the Civil Division from 1995 to 1999 and the Criminal Division from 1999 to 2002. In 2002, she was sworn in as a Magistrate Judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, where she has served since.
Professional Affiliations:
Judge Ramirez currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Texas Center for Legal Ethics. She also is a member of the Texas Bar Association, Dallas Bar Association, Dallas Bar Foundation, and Federal Magistrate Judges’ Association. Judge Ramiriz presides over the re-entry court in her district, which provides intensive support to people under supervised release after completing a term of federal imprisonment. Judge Ramirez also serves on a special committee of the Fifth Circuit that drafts the minimum standard guidelines for re-entry courts in the circuit. From 2010 to 2020, Judge Ramirez served as the court’s Equal Employment Opportunity Coordinator, which included meeting with court employees who have sought counseling or made employment complaints. Additionally, Judge Ramírez taught Trial Advocacy at her alma mater, Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law.
Judicial Temperament:
Following Judge Ramirez’s nomination, Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) reiterated their support (Judge Ramirez was nominated by President Obama in 2014 to serve as a US district court judge; her nomination expired before confirmation): “Judge Ramirez’s distinguished track record of judicial excellence throughout her decades of service in Texas makes her exceptionally qualified for the Fifth Circuit,” Cornyn said in a statement. “I am proud to recommend her for this position with Sen. Cruz, and I look forward to seeing her continue to uphold the rule of law on the federal bench.”