NCJW supports Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis. Here’s why:
Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis is a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and a former United States magistrate judge of the same court. Prior to serving on the bench, she spent almost two decades prosecuting cases at the trial and appellate levels, including cases involving money laundering, fraud, violent crime, and public corruption. She has extensive experience inside and outside the courtroom and throughout her career has been committed to ensuring those who are without the means or lack access to legal representation receive proper representation. Known as a fair and thoughtful judge, if confirmed Judge Davis would be the first Black woman from Michigan to serve on the Sixth Circuit and only the second Black woman ever to serve on the Sixth Circuit.
Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis’ stance on important issues:
Judge Davis ruled for the plaintiffs in Conway v. Purves, a challenge to the nutritional adequacy of the meals provided to Michigan Department of Corrections’ prisoners during the Islamic month of Ramadan. In Maye v. Klee, Judge Davis ruled in favor of a plaintiff denied his constitutional right to practice his religion in prison.
Voting Rights:
In a 2020 case, Judge Davis found that Michigan’s ban on transporting people to the polls conflicted with US election law — a decision later overruled by the Sixth Circuit.
Judicial Temperament:
The American Bar Association unanimously rated Davis well qualified for the judgeship on the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Barbara McQuade, a former US Attorney, said, “Judge Dawkins is a talented lawyer, an outstanding judge and a person of great integrity… We could not find a better candidate to serve on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. In fact, she would make an excellent Supreme Court justice.”
Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis’ Experience and Education:
Experience and Pro Bono Work:
Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis began her career in products liability/commercial litigation at Dickinson, Wright PLLC in Detroit. She then joined the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, where she served in both the civil and criminal divisions. Judge Davis prosecuted cases at both the trial and appellate levels, and spent time as a deputy unit chief, high intensity drug trafficking area liaison, and the Executive Assistant US Attorney before joining the bench in January 2016 as a magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and then a district judge to the same court. She volunteered with the Women’s Justice Center to help survivors obtain orders of protection, took prisoner civil rights cases while at Dickinson Wright, and answered legal questions of women residents at Alternatives for Girls, a shelter for homeless and high risk young women in Detroit.
Education and Awards:
Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis earned her BS from Wichita State University in 1989 and her JD from Washington University School of Law in 1992. Judge Davis has been recognized with several honors, including the US States Attorney Award for Outstanding Service, the Bridget Vance Vision of Service Award for her work on youth violence prevention, the State Bar of Michigan’s “Champion of Justice” Award, and the Executive Office for the US Attorney’s Director Award.
Professional Affiliations:
Judge Davis serves on the advisory board for the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She is also a member of multiple bar associations, including the State of Bar Michigan, Federal Bar Association, Wolverine Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.