This spring, the federal judiciary will hold its second nationwide diversity program, Roadways to the Bench. The program is geared towards lawyers and law students with a particular focus on expanding the pipeline of potential bankruptcy and magistrate judges and attracting the broadest possible pool of qualified candidates. This year’s program will be held in 38 cities in 27 states and territories. Locally, the event will be held as follows:

Interested lawyers and law students are invited to observe a national panel discussion and participate in local roundtables with bankruptcy, magistrate, district, and appellate judges about pathways to the federal bench.

The panel discussion will be live-streamed from  Washington D.C. and features Judge Stephanie Dawkins Davis (6^th Cir.), who previously served as a district judge from 2019 to 2022 and as a magistrate judge from 2016 to 2019; Judge Laura Taylor Swain (S.D.N.Y.), who previously served as a bankruptcy judge from 1996 to 2000; Judge Kesha Lynn Tanabe (Bankr.D.Minn.), a current bankruptcy judge; and Judge Mustafa T. Kasubhai (D.Or.), a current magistrate judge. Moderated by Judge Carl E. Stewart (5th Cir.), the panel discussion will address the different ways a lawyer can seek appointment to the federal bench.

Immediately following the panel, each participating city will conduct its own in-person roundtable sessions where attorneys and law students can participate in small group discussions with a federal judge about the selection process for federal judges as well as any other topics that pertain to being a judge. A reception will follow.

Advance registration for the program is required and the registration portal is now open through March 20, 2023! But don’t delay. We expect the program to be oversubscribed, so the earlier you register, the more likely you will be able to attend. To indicate your intent to attend the program, please complete the registration form at the link below:

https://forms.office.com/g/UPsVrC68N9

Due to space constraints, please do not register for the program unless you are sure you can attend. In addition, registration does not guarantee a spot at the program. Once we can assess the event capacity based on the responses received, individuals will receive an email confirming their participation in the program. If you have any questions or require additional information, please email Roadways2023@pawb.uscourts.gov or call (412) 644-3541