Meet the Nominated Judges

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:

A headshot of Judge Ana de Alba.

Judge Ana de Alba

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
NCJW supports Judge Ana de Alba to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

NCJW supports Judge Ana de Alba. Here’s why: Judge Ana de Alba’s upbringing as the daughter of Mexican immigrants has shaped her life. Joining her parents in the fields and in homes, tilling the land and cleaning up after others, instilled in her a passion for justice through a legal career. Following law school, Judge … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes
Confirmed? Yes
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Justice Maria Araújo Kahn

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
NCJW supports Justice Maria Araújo Kahn to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

NCJW supports Justice Maria Araújo Kahn. Here’s why: Justice Maria Araújo Kahn was born in Benguela, Angola, and immigrated to the United States at the age of ten with her family to escape civil war. She is a former federal prosecutor and public defender who currently serves as an Associate Justice on the Connecticut Supreme … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes
Confirmed? Yes
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Cindy K. Chung

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
NCJW supports Cindy K. Chung to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

NCJW supports Cindy K. Chung. Here’s why: As the United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Ms. Chung oversees a staff of approximately 59 Assistant US Attorneys working in the criminal, civil, and appeals divisions of the office. A top federal prosecutor, Ms. Chung has consistently worked to secure justice for the public. … Continued

Fair? Yes
Independent? Yes
Qualified? Yes
Confirmed? Yes
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Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves

Nominated for a Lifetime Position to:
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
NCJW supports Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

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 … Continued

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

...and the diversity of the federal bench should reflect our society