U.S. Magistrate Judge Dana Douglas of Louisiana is making history as the first Black woman to serve on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
President Joe Biden nominated Douglas in June to fill an opening left by 86-year-old Judge James Dennis who took “senior status” last year, Reuters reports. Biden selected Douglas as one of his judicial federal nominees to fill vacancies in states with two Republican senators.
The New Orleans-based court hears appellate cases from lower federal courts in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi, according to Reuters. Twelve of the 16 active court judges are the appointees of Republican presidents, while four are appointees of Democratic presidents, including Douglas. There is currently a 17th vacant spot on the court, according to multiple news reports. Read more.
