Thread by @AFJustice

This morning the @HouseJudiciary Committee is holding the second hearing in its series on the importance of diversity on our courts.

Details and livestream here, and we'll be following along on Twitter as well: judiciary.house.gov/calendar/event…

#CourtsMatter

As @RepJerryNadler notes, our courts are still dominated by white men, people with Ivy League degrees, and corporate attorneys and prosecutors.

They're more diverse than they once were thanks a committed effort, but there is still progress to be made.

#CourtsMatter

"It is difficult to be what you cannot see," says Colorado Supreme Court Associate Justice Monica Marquez, explaining why it's important to help people meet judges and find opportunities to pursue clerkships. #CourtsMatter

"We have to lose our addiction to Yale and Harvard," says Judge Michael J. McShane, one of the few openly LGBTQ judges on the federal courts, about how we can help diversify the courts.

We need to consider more graduates of local and regional law schools. #CourtsMatter

"Why are we not seeking out those who work with the poor and the marginalized?" Judge McShane asks about judicial selection, noting that he feels like a "unicorn" as someone who is both gay and a former public defender. #CourtsMatter

Ian Warner highlights the many exceptional and diverse judicial nominees advancing in Washington state. We're excited about them too! afj.org/article/highli…

#CourtsMatter