State Courts Diversifying Benches Tap Mentors to Promote Pathway

California’s effort to expand the pipeline for potential underrepresented judges has other states crafting similar measures to diversify their courts.

Without mentors, Teri Jackson —the first Black woman justice on California’s First Appellate District—wouldn’t have envisioned herself on the bench. She hopes others will also picture themselves as judges thanks to a new appellate court pilot mentorship program. The First Appellate District mentorship program, which pairs interested trial attorneys with a judge to learn the appointment process, is meant to fill racial and gender gaps among judges. California’s other five appellate districts are expected to follow suit. ...