State supreme courts generally serve as the final word in interpreting state constitutions and other state laws. The question of who sits on state high court benches therefore has high stakes. Since 2019, the Brennan Center has collected annual data on the makeup of these courts to understand how closely these courts reflect the diversity of their communities and the legal profession.
Bringing greater diversity to state benches can enhance the quality of judicial processes, reduce the likelihood of biased outcomes, and inspire greater confidence among members of the community. In highlighting existing diversity gaps and making data publicly available, the Brennan Center seeks to promote judicial selection processes that are fair and inclusive.
