JOINT STATEMENT OF MINNESOTA WOMEN LAWYERS AND THE INFINITY PROJECT
ON THE CONFIRMATION PROCESS OF JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYOR

Minnesota Women Lawyers and The Infinity Project commend President Barack Obama for the nomination of a woman, Judge Sonia Sotomayor, to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

The decision whether Judge Sotomayor should be confirmed should be based on a measured and civil confirmation process that fosters a thoughtful debate about Judge Sotomayor's credentials, not her gender or national origin. We believe the depth and quality of any nominee's legal experience is the proper subject of evaluation. In state elections, MWL asks voters to consider such qualities as legal education, experience, reputation for excellence and fairness and temperament. We urge the United States Senate to consider the same relevant factors in the conduct of Judge Sotomayor’s confirmation process. 

It is also our hope and expectation that President Obama will continue to appoint women to the United States District Courts and Courts of Appeals, where women are currently underrepresented. While women make up 48 percent of law school graduates and over 30 percent of the legal profession overall, they are only 24 percent of federal district court judges, 25 percent of circuit court judges, and 11 percent of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court.  Not only do we believe that the judiciary should more fairly reflect the composition of the profession, but we strive for a fair reflection of the public that our judiciary serves.
 

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