The Alliance for Justice (AFJ) is a progressive judicial advocacy group in the United States.[4][5] Founded in 1979 by former president Nan Aron, AFJ monitors federal judicial appointments. AFJ represents a coalition of 100 politically liberal groups that have an interest in the federal judiciary.[6] The Alliance for Justice presents a modern liberal viewpoint on legal issues.[7]

Alliance for Justice
AbbreviationAFJ
FormationAugust 7, 1974; 50 years ago (1974-08-07)[1]
FounderNan Aron[2]
Type501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
52-1009973[3]
PurposeLegal advocacy
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
Rakim Brooks[2]
Paulette Meyer[2]
Revenue (2018)
$5,618,274[3]
Expenses (2018)$5,699.201[3]
Employees (2018)
47[3]
Volunteers (2018)
22[3]
Websiteafj.org

According to the organization, "AFJ works to ensure that the federal judiciary advances core constitutional values, preserves human rights and unfettered access to the courts, and adheres to the even-handed administration of justice for all Americans."[8]

Judicial advocacy

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AFJ launched the Judicial Selection Project in 1985 to monitor the federal judicial appointment system.[9] According to AFJ's founder, Nan Aron, the organization wanted to guard against the ideological impact of Ronald Reagan's federal judicial nominees.[10] AFJ objects to judicial nominees who oppose abortion or who promise to exercise judicial restraint.[5] The organization provides background on prospective nominees to the American Bar Association and the Senate Judiciary Committee.[5]

AFJ played a role in the defeat of Ronald Reagan nominee Robert Bork's nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States in 1987.[11] In 2001, the organization supported the nomination of Roger Gregory, a Bill Clinton nominee and the first African-American judge in the Fourth Circuit in 2001.[12] In 2013, AFJ supported President Barack Obama's three nominees for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.[13]

Member organizations

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AFJ reports a membership of over 120 organizations. On its website, as of January 7, 2021, AFJ lists the following member groups:[14]

References

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  1. ^ "ALLIANCE FOR JUSTICE - Initial File Number: 741885". Government of the District of Columbia]". Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "[1]". Alliance for Justice. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Alliance for Justice. Internal Revenue Service. December 31, 2018.
  4. ^ Boyer, Dave (June 6, 2016). "Elizabeth Warren lambastes Senate Republicans for 'obstruction' of judges". Washington Times. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  5. ^ a b c Clarity, James; Weaver Jr., Warren (January 18, 1985). "Here Come the Judges". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  6. ^ Horwitz, Sari; Eilperin, Juliet (November 7, 2014). "Obama to nominate Justice prosecutor Lynch for attorney general". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  7. ^ E.g.,
  8. ^ "About AFJ". Alliance for Justice. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  9. ^ Steigerwalt, Amy (2010). Battle over the Bench: Senators, Interest Groups, and Lower Court Confirmations. University of Virginia Press. p. 11. ISBN 9780813929989.
  10. ^ Scherer, Nancy (2005). Scoring Points: Politicians, Activists, and the Lower Federal Court Appointment Process. Stanford University Press. p. 110. ISBN 9780804749497.
  11. ^ Greenhouse, Linda (December 4, 1987). "Supreme Court Nominations; After Bork, the Liberals' Silence On Judge Kennedy Is Deafening". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  12. ^ Savage, David (July 21, 2001). "Senate Confirms 3 of Bush's Judicial Nominees". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  13. ^ Eilperin, Juliet (May 28, 2013). "Obama to launch push to reshape D.C. Circuit with 3 simultaneous nominations". Washington Post. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  14. ^ "Member Organizations". Alliance For Justice. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
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