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Clinton's Nontraditional Judges: Creating a More Representative Bench

NCJ Number
151743
Journal
Judicature Volume: 78 Issue: 2 Dated: (September-October 1994) Pages: 68-73
Author(s)
S Goldman; M D Saronson
Date Published
1994
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This analysis of President Clinton's appointees to Federal judgeships through July 1, 1994, concludes that the Administration is making spectacular progress in redressing the existing gender and racial imbalance and so far has set a precedent against which the records of subsequent administrations will be compared.
Abstract
More than three-fifths of all Clinton appointees have been women and minorities, the two groups that historically have faced tremendous obstacles to becoming attorneys and Federal judges. Despite the increases, women now account for only 14.6 percent of the Federal bench. The proportion of black Federal judges has increased from 5.4 percent on the day Clinton was elected to 7.8 percent some 17 months later. The Hispanic proportion of the bench increased from 4 percent to 4.6 percent. Asian Americans and American Indians are not well represented on the bench, and this situation is likely to continue. Compared to those of recent previous administrations, Clinton's judges have the largest proportion of those with prestigious educations, previous judicial experience, and higher ratings from the American Bar Association. They also have the lowest proportion with some background of political activism. These appointees have produced a more diversified Federal bench than before, consistent with the principle of merit. Tables and footnotes