On June 20, 2007, California State Assemblyman Mike Davis (48th District) hosted a Judicial Diversity Forum and Luncheon at the California African American Museum’s Conference Center.  The stellar panel assembled by Assemblyman Davis consisted of Sharon Majors-Lewis, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Judicial Appointments Secretary; Fredericka McGee, Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez’s General Counsel; and the Honorable John V. Meigs, Site Judge - Los Angeles Superior Court (Inglewood).  The Masters of Ceremonies for the forum was Michael A. Lawson, Esq., a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

The emphasis of this forum was to encourage Southern California’s minority legal communities to actively seek judgeships; particularly in light of the fact 50 new judgeships were created by the California legislature with the passage of Senate Bill (“SB”) 56and an anticipated 100 more judgeships being created in the next two years. 

While California prides itself on its ethnic diversity, California’s judiciary remains decidedly white and male.  A recent California Administrative Office of the Courts’ survey indicates that 70 percent of the state's judges are white and 72 percent are male. These percentages are believed to be even higher due to the fact that 36 percent of Riverside County judges did not respond to the survey.

“For all Californians to have confidence in the judicial system, we need people from all races and backgrounds to be part of the system,” said Davis.  “This is particularly true when it comes to the criminal justice system.  While California’s judges are decidedly white, California’s prison population is decidedly Black and Latino,” added Davis. 

“We need more minorities to apply to the bench to ensure that we receive our fair share of the new judgeships being created by the legislature, as well being in a position to allow the seats of retiring minority judges to be filled with qualified minority lawyers.  This is a golden opportunity that the African-American, Latino and Asian legal communities cannot let slip away,” said Davis.

Ms. Majors-Lewis, California’s first African American and female Judicial Appointments Secretary, spoke about the judicial application process and Gov. Schwarzenegger’s commitment to appointing qualified and diverse individuals to the bench.

Ms. McGee, a recent California Lawyer of the Year recipient, was instrumental in the passage of SB 56.  Her efforts insured that tracking be maintained on future judicial applications and judicial appointments.    

Judge John V. Meigs, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge, discussed the many judicial mentoring programs available to attorneys eager to join the bench.