Biden Sets Record for Public Defenders on Circuit Courts (1)

The Senate confirmed Rhode Island Public Defender Lara Montecalvo to the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, marking Biden’s sixth confirmed circuit judge with a public defense background.

Montecalvo’s 52-47 confirmation on Wednesday gives Biden the most former public defenders confirmed to circuit courts of any president, progressive judicial advocacy group Demand Justice said. He edges out Barack Obama’s five former defenders over his two terms, the group said.

Biden has prioritized demographic and professional diversity in his judicial selections. Those efforts have included scores of nominees with backgrounds in public defense, which hasn’t historically been common for ...