NCJW supports Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves. Here’s why:
Tamika Montgomery-Reeves currently serves as a Justice on the Delaware Supreme Court, to which she was unanimously confirmed. She was the first Black woman and youngest jurist to serve on the court. Prior to her judgeship, she worked in the private sector on corporate governance, stockholder class action litigation, and complex commercial litigation, which led to her appointment as Vice Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery. In addition to the cases she handled, Justice Montgomery-Reeves made pro bono contributions to the Prisoners’ Rights Project. She has been applauded for her work ethic, vast experience, and involvement in her community. If confirmed to the Third Circuit, Justice Montgomery-Reeves could be the first Black woman to serve on its bench.
Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves’ stance on important issues:
Incarceration and Criminal Justice
Justice Montgomery-Reeves has been widely recognized for her pro bono contributions to the Prisoners’ Rights Project.
Accessibility to Legal Services
Justice Montgomery-Reeves previously served on the Delaware Access to Justice Commission. Specifically, she was a member of the Subcommittee on the Efficient Delivery and Adequate Funding of Legal Services to the Poor. The Commission was established by the Delaware Supreme Court to evaluate the justice system, identify barriers to accessing justice, and develop recommendations and solutions to improve access. The subcommittee on which Justice Montgomery-Reeves served looked at the efficiency of the delivery of legal services by Delaware organizations that provide such services to low-income people. Further, they determined what areas could be improved and recommended sources of increased funding for Delaware’s legal aid organizations.
Diversity and Inclusion
Justice Montgomery-Reeves said in a 2021 interview with Bloomberg Law, “Increasing the diversity of the legal profession really is essential to improving access to justice for everybody and the public’s trust and confidence in the court system—and not just the bench, but the bar as well.”
Judicial Temperament:
Following President Biden’s nomination of Justice Montgomery-Reeves to the Third Circuit, Senators Tom Carper (D-Del) and Chris Coons (D-Del) share that “she has the heart of a public servant, and has earned a reputation as a consensus builder on the bench.”
Experience:
Following her graduation from law school, Justice Montgomery-Reeves served as a law clerk for Chancellor William B. Chandler of the Delaware Court of Chancery. She then joined Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York to practice in their securities and corporate governance department. Later, she joined and made partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati where she focused on corporate governance, stockholder class action litigation, and complex commercial litigation, among other issue-areas. Following her work in private practice, she was appointed Vice Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery by Governor Markell in 2015, becoming the second woman and first Black woman to serve on the court. During this time, Justice Montgomery-Reeves served on a subcommittee of the Delaware Supreme Court’s Access to Justice Commission, and on the Delaware Court of Chancery’s Rules Committee. In 2019, she was nominated to the Delaware Supreme Court by Governor Carney and unanimously confirmed by the Delaware State Senate, the position she holds today. This confirmation was a historic moment for the court as she is the first Black woman to sit on its bench. At age 38, she was also the youngest jurist confirmed to the court.
Education:
Justice Montgomery-Reeves earned her BA, magna cum laude, from the McDonnell-Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi in 2003, and her JD from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2006.
Professional Affiliations:
Justice Montgomery-Reeves is a member of the Delaware Community Foundation board of directors, a nonprofit organization focused on connecting donors and grants with Delaware communities in need.