Federal courts are the last line of defense for our constitutional rights, and the judges who sit on them must be fair, independent, qualified, and reflect the communities they serve.

The US Circuit Courts of Appeals hear challenges to lower court decisions and have the last word on thousands of issues that impact our daily lives.

Below are the circuit court nominees NCJW has taken a position on:

Bradley N. Garcia

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
NCJW supports Bradley N. Garcia to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

NCJW supports Bradley N. Garcia. Here’s why: Bradley N. Garcia currently serves as the Department of Justice’s Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel. From his time as a clerk for federal judges, including Supreme Court Justice Elana Kagan, to his time in private practice and in the federal government, Bradley Garcia … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Judge Dana M. Douglas

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
NCJW supports Judge Dana M. Douglas to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

NCJW supports Judge Dana M. Douglas. Here’s why: From her time in private practice and during her years as a US Magistrate Judge of the Eastern District of Louisiana, Judge Dana M. Douglas has been committed to her community. Her professional affiliations and pro bono work in the state include service on the Louisiana Bar … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Roopali Desai

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
NCJW supports Roopali Desai to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

NCJW supports Roopali Desai. Here’s why: As a corporate attorney, Roopali H. Desai practices in the areas of complex litigation, political law, and civil appeals. She is also a leading election lawyer in the state of Arizona, with deep experience in all aspects of election law, including but not limited to ballot measures, referendum, regulatory … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Lara E. Montecalvo

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
NCJW supports Lara E. Montecalvo to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

NCJW supports Lara E. Montecalvo. Here’s why: Lara E. Montecalvo has spent nearly two decades with the Rhode Island Public Defender’s Office, now holding its top leadership position of Chief Public Defender. Throughout her career, Ms. Montecalvo has developed a serious and skilled understanding of criminal and civil law. She has consistently built and argued … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Nusrat J. Choudhury

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
NCJW supports Nusrat J. Choudhury to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

NCJW supports Nusrat J. Choudhury. Here’s why: Ms. Choudhury currently serves as the Roger Pascal Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois. Prior to joining the ACLU, Ms. Choudhury clerked forJudge Barrington D. Parker on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals and Judge Denise Cote on the Southern District of New … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Rachel Bloomekatz

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
NCJW supports Rachel Bloomekatz to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

NCJW supports Rachel Bloomekatz. Here’s why: Rachel Bloomekatz, currently a solo practitioner at her own Bloomekatz Law LLC, is a widely lauded attorney with broad experience in the field. Ms. Bloomekatz has worked on a variety of issues which could appear before the court, from economic justice, environmental justice, juvenile justice, and public health to … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Judge Doris L. Pryor

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
NCJW supports Judge Doris L. Pryor to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

NCJW supports Judge Doris L. Pryor. Here’s why: Judge Doris L. Pryor currently serves as US Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Indiana. Previously, she clerked under Judges of the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the US District Court of the Eastern District of Arkansas, worked as a public defender, … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
NCJW supports Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

NCJW supports Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam. Here’s why: Judge Sarah A. L. Merriam currently serves as a Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. With her clerkships under judges of the US District Court for the District of Connecticut and the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
NCJW supports Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis to the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

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 … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

Arianna Freeman

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
NCJW supports Arianna Freeman to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

NCJW supports Arianna Freeman. Here’s why: Arianna Freeman has dedicated her entire legal career to public service. She is a public defender, currently serving as the Managing Attorney of the Non-Capital Habeas Unit for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania where she represents state and federal inmates challenging the legality of their convictions and sentences. Ms. … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes

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?