AFJ Insider - February 2023

Welcome to our first edition of AFJ Insider: your monthly rundown of everything happening in our organization, our courts, and our fight for equality for all.

Every day I am inspired by our network of supporters. Your dedication to the Alliance for Justice is what allows us to continue this important work. Thank you as always for standing with us.

Even in the face of new challenges, we stand firm in our hope for a more just society. We hope you will enjoy and share this newsletter with your friends and family.

Sincerely, Rakim Inside this edition of AFJ Insider:

The 100+ confirmed federal judges under President Biden - incredible progress to diversify our courts.

Bolder Advocacy's free resources for nonprofits looking to amplify their voice.

What AFJ is doing to overcome one of the biggest obstacles we face in confirming judges, the use (and abuse) of the "blue slip."

The tremendous work of our member organization, SIECUS, and much more!

100+ Confirmed Judges Is Amazing Accomplishment While we celebrate last week’s judicial confirmations that pushed the number of judges confirmed during the Biden administration, we continue to push for as many remaining vacancies to be filled. It’s imperative that we all keep fighting for more nominees who will bring important experience as civil rights lawyers and public defenders to the bench.

To get a biweekly update on the campaign to fill every seat by 2025, make sure you're signed up for The Rush here.

Our Growing State Courts Program Alliance for Justice continues to grow our State Court Justice Project. While it may not be a major

federal election year, there are still crucial state supreme court races playing out in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania that will have a huge impact on access to health care, safety, civil rights, the polls, and more. Make sure to check out the updated State Courts Hub to learn more about your state’s high court.

Bolder Advocacy's Free Resources for Legislative Sessions Hit the ground running this legislative session with our free Practical Guidance State Law Resources, designed to help nonprofits navigate how lobbying rules may apply to their work. In this Texas legislative session, for instance, nonprofits have a unique opportunity to engage in lobbying to fight for legislation, including gun control and reproductive rights.

Kimberly Humphrey Legal Director, Federal Courts

“When certain groups are apathetic, we all lose....

Our democracy cannot fulfill its promise when entire communities are not a part of decision-making.”

Before coming to AFJ, Kim recognized the negative influence of Trump but didn’t realize the extent of the harm being done to the courts - even as someone working in the space.

She also saw people in her community who’d lost hope and disengaged from politics completely. And she wanted to change that.

After last year’s record-breaking progress on judicial nominations, and the progress already made so far in 2023, Kim has reason to be optimistic, even as she girds for the fight ahead. That fight includes challenging the use of the “blue slip” – a relic of the past, like the filibuster, which has often been used to block highly qualified judicial nominees specifically to oppose the advancement of civil rights.

As we fight to diversify our judiciary, Kim says, we must also fight these procedural impediments designed to curtail the impact of progressive nominees: "Many do not realize that our courts do more than define the good guy and bad – but also define our daily lives so the stakes are incredible. Being a part of AFJ allows me to unify movements for the common good and to expand our democracy. We bring the phrase 'stronger together' to life.”

Read our full profile of Kimberly.

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