Washington Lawyer - March 2019 - 12

GOVERNMENT & GAVEL

JUDICIAL DIVERSITY
Inspiring Trust and Enriching Deliberations
By Jeffery Leon

iversity matters, especially on the bench, and the District of
Columbia Courts have been constantly working to ensure they
are representative and welcoming of the District's diverse population.
We spoke with several members of the judiciary about why courts
should reflect the communities they serve.
"A diverse judiciary is important on several different
levels. First, it promotes public trust and confidence
in the judiciary. When you come to court and you
see judges who look like you and who live in the
District of Columbia in the same neighborhoods
and communities, I think that it enhances public
trust and confidence in the judiciary.
Second, while all judges work hard to apply the
law and to uphold the law neutrally, it's important
to have different perspectives. So, for example, a
woman judge is not necessarily going to decide a
case differently than a man judge, but [she] could
bring a different approach and have a different
perspective.
I think the difference is perhaps even more stark on
an appellate court, where we usually decide cases
as a panel of three judges. Those differing life experiences and perspectives enrich the deliberations
and discussion and help to ensure that a legally
sound decision is reached.
I think it's important on a trial court, too, for people
coming from the community to know that judges
live in and are a part of the community they serve.
They understand that judges have to apply the law,
but they also expect that judges will have some
common sense about what their life experiences
might be like.

ANNA BLACKBURNERIGSBY
Chief Judge, District of Columbia
Court of Appeals

RAINEY BRANDT
Magistrate Judge, Superior Court
of the District of Columbia
"As judges, we come to the bench from different
walks of life, upbringings, and cultural experiences.
That kind of diversity only serves to enhance the
bench as a whole. You can particularly see that
happening during judicial continuing education
sessions. Depending on the topic being discussed,
you will hear multiple ways of approaching it
because of our background differences. In that
moment, we learn from each other and evolve
together. The bench is supposed to evolve, and
diversity helps it do that."

In the District of Columbia, we have the benefit
of having a wonderfully diverse bench at the trial
level and here at the Court of Appeals. We have
some very talented judges who bring a range of
experiences. The D.C. courts have a strong representation of women judges and judges of color.
We also have prosecutors, former defense attorneys, former corporate lawyers, and judges who
are former law professors. All of that makes for,
I think, a richer, more well-rounded, and more
Led by Executive Director
Rebecca
K. Troth (left, first row), D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center staff and attorneys assist
responsive
judiciary."

and train pro bono lawyers in providing critical civil legal services to the poorest residents of the District of Columbia.
12

WASHINGTON LAWYER

David Mizelle
MARCH
2019

Photos courtesy of District of Columbia Courts

http://www.dcbar.org/

Washington Lawyer - March 2019

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