Turning Right: Judicial Selection and the Politics of Power is an initiative of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights Education Fund's (LCCREF) Judicial Independence Project. The effort was managed by Julie Fernandes, Senior Policy Analyst/Special Counsel, under the overall supervision of Nancy Zirkin, Director of Public Policy. Staff assistance was provided by Corrine Yu, Director of Education; Ritu Kelotra, Program Associate; Michelle Woolley, Policy Assistant; Brenda Isom, Office Manager; and Charlotte Irving and Connie Dennard, Administrative Assistants.
We would like to thank Melody Barnes, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, who wrote the report, as well as acknowledge the contribution of Ron Weich, partner at Zuckerman Spaeder LLP.
The design and layout were created by Perspective Software and Design, and the report was printed by Homart Press. Finally we would like to thank the Open Society Institute and the Arca Foundation for their financial support of this initiative.
The individuals charged with dispensing justice in our society have a direct impact on all of our rights, as well as on protecting the environment, workers, and consumers. The nation's federal judges-who are appointed for life - must be moderate, fair and impartial. What could be more important than saving our courts from extremist ideologues? And yet, much of the battle over judicial nominations is taking place outside of public view. The purpose of this report is to highlight what's at stake and the implications for the civil rights and human rights agenda now and in the future.
The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of statements and interpretations contained in this publication.
Karen McGill Lawson, Executive Director
Wade Henderson, Counselor
