By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO
President Joe Biden recently announced that he plans to nominate four individuals to federal circuit and district courts. The list includes Judge Embry J. Kidd, an African-American judge.
(Photo courtesy of Emory University)
Kidd, a graduate of Yale University’s law school, currently serves as the Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. He was appointed to the bench on July 25, 2019. If nominated, Kidd would become a judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Last week, Biden announced that he intends to also nominate Judges Adam B. Abelson, Joseph F. Saporito and Meredith A Vacca to fill vacancies in district courts in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York.
The White House released a statement which read, that the nominations “continue to fulfill the president’s promise to ensure that the nation’s courts reflect the diversity that is one of our greatest assets as a country – both in terms of personal and professional backgrounds.”
In a statement obtained by the AFRO, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford, D-Nev. applauded Biden’s nomination.
“Judge Kidd is an immensely qualified candidate with more than a decade of experience in private practice as well as time as a federal judge and Assistant U.S. Attorney,” said Horsford.
The Nevada lawmaker added that the president’s nomination of Kidd builds “on his promise to ensure that the federal judiciary reflects the diversity of backgrounds and lived experience in our nation.”
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, both representatives of Maryland also praised Biden’s choices and endorsed Judge Abelson, who if confirmed by the U.S. Senate would become a judge in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.
Van Hollen said in a statement that Judge Abelson “has served the people of Baltimore for more than a decade. He has proven commitment to equal justice under the law and a strong command of a wide range of legal issues.”
Cardin also weighed in on the nominations.
“Marylanders should be confident that Judge Abelson will continue to carry out his judicial oath and guarantee equal justice of the law to all parties that come before his courtroom,” said Cardin, in a statement.
After President Biden officially nominates the four judges, the Senate Judiciary Committee will conduct confirmation hearings for each nominee.
The post President Joe Biden to nominate Judge Embry J. Kidd to federal circuit court appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
