Nancy Maldonado, a former labor and civil rights attorney, has been confirmed as the first Hispanic member of the federal appeals court based in Chicago. The Senate, led by Democrats, confirmed her appointment with a 47 to 43 vote on Monday.
Maldonado previously served as the first Latina judge on the Northern District of Illinois. She fills a vacancy on the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit previously held by Illana Rovner, who was the first woman to serve on the Seventh Circuit. Rovner had been appointed by George H.W. Bush and announced plans in January to take senior status, allowing her to reduce her workload while maintaining her title and some responsibilities.
Maldonado’s confirmation represents a shift from a seat held by a Republican appointee to one filled by a Democratic president. This appointment continues the Biden administration’s efforts to diversify the federal judiciary.
For further details on Maldonado’s career and confirmation process, visit the full article on Bloomberg Law here.