( New York, June 17, 2014 ) - Today, the U.S. Senate made judicial history by confirming Darrin Gayles to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and Staci Yandle to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, marking the first time that two openly gay judicial nominees have been confirmed to the federal bench on the same day.
Lambda Legal released the following statement from Fair Courts Project Manager Eric Lesh:
"President Obama has already nominated more African-American judges and openly gay and lesbian judges than any of his predecessors. With this historic confirmation, Darrin Gayles will become the nation's first openly gay African-American man to serve on the federal bench, while Staci Yandle becomes the second openly lesbian African-American woman to be confirmed in the 20 years since President Clinton nominated Deborah Batts to the Southern District of New York.
"Today, it is more important than ever that our courts reflect the growing diversity of our country, but we have a long way to go. There are nearly 900 federal judges in the U.S., and most are white men. Federal courts are charged with providing everyone with equal access to justice, and yet justice has not always been a reality for some. A diverse judiciary serves not only to improve the quality of justice, but to boost public confidence in the courts."
National Black Justice Coalition press release:
Washington, DC — June 17, 2014 — Today, the Senate confirmed Attorney Staci Yandle and Judge Darrin Gayles to become federal judges on the U.S. District Courts in Illinois and Florida, respectively. Ms. Yandle, a practicing attorney for over 20 years, will be the second Black, openly lesbian judge confirmed to the federal bench. Judge Gayles will become the nation's first Black, openly gay male to serve on the federal bench. Both nominees received overwhelming support from the Senate during their confirmation votes: Ms. Yandle was confirmed by a vote of 52 to 44, and Judge Gayles was confirmed by a vote of 98 to 0.
"I am thrilled that the Senate has confirmed Attorney Yandle and Judge Gayles to the federal bench," says Sharon Lettman-Hicks, NBJC Executive Director and CEO. "NBJC celebrates both confirmations that will inspire so many in the Black and LGBT communities. In addition, we celebrate the vast life experiences that they will take with them to the federal bench as they work to render impartial decisions. It's a significant sign of progress in our nation when two individuals are judged solely on their merits when being considered for these important lifetime appointments."
Ms. Yandle, a graduate of the University of Illinois and Vanderbilt Law School, has been a legal practitioner in southern Illinois since 2007, and has focused on representing victims of medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, defective products and civil rights violations. During her career, she also served as an adjunct professor at St. Louis University School of Law. When she is sworn in as a federal judge, Ms. Yandle will become the first Black judge to sit on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.
Judge Darrin Gayles received his J.D. from George Washington University Law School and his B.A. from Howard University. He began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office from 1993 to 1997. He served both as Assistant District Counsel to the US Immigration and Naturalization Service and Assistant United States Attorney in Florida's Southern District. In 2004, he began his judicial career when he became a County Judge in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. In 2011, he was elected as the Circuit Judge for that same circuit. When Judge Gayles takes his post on the bench, he will serve on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
NOTE: Deborah Batts was the first Black, openly lesbian federal judge nominated by President Bill Clinton and later confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in 1994.
A Historic Day for Our Judiciary
Neil Eggleston, White House blog
June 17, 2014
12:16 PM EDT
This morning, the Senate confirmed three federal judges. On the one hand, they are not unique; like all of the President's judges and judicial nominees, they have the necessary intellect, experience, integrity, and temperament. But they are special in that each of them is a trailblazer on their courts:
- Judge Darrin Gayles, confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, is the first openly gay African American man to be confirmed as a lifetime-appointed federal judge in our nation's history.
- Judge Salvador Mendoza, confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, is the first Hispanic judge to serve on his court.
- Staci Yandle, confirmed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, is the first African American to serve on her court and the first openly gay lifetime-appointed federal judge in Illinois.
Today's confirmations also set historic milestones:
- For the first time in history, the Senate has confirmed two openly gay judges on the same day.
- President Obama has now appointed more female judges than any other President, breaking the record previously set by President Clinton.
- President Obama also has now appointed more Hispanic judges than any other President, breaking the record previously held by President George W. Bush.
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As we've said before, these "firsts" — and these milestones — are important, not because these judges will consider cases differently, but because a judiciary that better resembles our nation instills even greater confidence in our justice system, and because these judges will serve as role models for generations of lawyers to come.
Congratulations to our newest federal judges, who we are confident will serve with honor, distinction, and fidelity to the rule of law.
www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/06/17/historic-day-our-judiciary .
Neil Eggleston is Counsel to the President.
Diverse Bench Serves All And Strengthens Public Confidence in Judiciary
From a Justice at Stake press release
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 18 - Justice at Stake Deputy Director of Federal Affairs and Diversity Initiatives Liz Fujii issued the following statement on today's historic confirmation of three judges of diverse backgrounds:
"Justice at Stake believes all Americans deserve a diverse and fully staffed judiciary, which sends the message that all people can expect to receive fair and timely treatment in court.
"Today we note the historic confirmation of three judges, including Darrin Gayles, who is the first openly gay African American man to receive a lifetime appointment as a US federal judge. He will serve on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Additionally, Salvador Mendoza will be the first Hispanic judge to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington and Staci Yandl will be the first African American to serve on U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois and the first openly gay Article III judge in Illinois.
"Judicial diversity enhances the quality of justice, creating a broader understanding of important issues, while enhancing judicial decision-making and problem-solving skills. Further, when we fail to tap highly qualified candidates from all backgrounds, we are leaving talent on the sidelines.
"Finally, we note that both Gayles and Yandle will fill vacancies that have been deemed 'judicial emergencies' by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Justice at Stake has long called for a functioning federal judicial nomination and confirmation process and we are pleased to see that these vacancies have been filled."
Justice at Stake is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to keep America's courts fair and impartial. Justice at Stake and its 50-plus state and national partners educate the public, and work for reforms to keep politics and special interests out of the courtroom - so judges can protect our Constitution, our rights and the rule of law. For more about Justice at Stake, go to www.justiceatstake.org or www.gavelgrab.org .
