Julie Rikelman, the attorney who represented Mississippi abortion facility Jackson Women’s Health Organization, has been confirmed to a judgeship in a federal appeals court.
This week, the Senate voted to confirm Rikelman to the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which is based in Boston. She had been nominated by President Biden last summer, shortly after Roe v. Wade was overturned in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case.
Rikelman graduated from both Harvard College and Harvard Law, served as vice president of litigation at NBC Universal, and then worked as the senior litigation director for the Center for Reproductive Rights. A profile of her was previously featured on the Center for Reproductive Rights’ website, which touted her longtime advocacy for abortion.
Interestingly, despite having argued against Dobbs and the state of Mississippi, Rikelman will now have to uphold the decision as legal precedent, which could end up as a potential conflict of interest on any abortion-related cases. However, the abortion industry and its defenders are already celebrating her nomination.
“I am delighted that the Senate confirmed Julie Rikelman as a First Circuit judge!” Elizabeth Warren tweeted. “She’s fair-minded, thoughtful and brings important professional diversity to the federal bench. Now more than ever, we need judges who understand reproductive rights and respect the rule of law.”
“Exciting news!” Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, said on Twitter. “Julie Rikelman, one of our nation’s brilliant legal minds, will join the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st circuit. Thrilled for her to continue her commitment to preserve equal justice under the law.”
“We thank President Biden and the Senate for this important confirmation, which is a step towards restoring some trust in our judicial system,” NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju said in a press release. “Julie Rikelman is a highly qualified, competent legal expert with a demonstrable record of protecting reproductive freedom and other fundamental rights. We look forward to continuing our work with the Senate and the Biden administration to advance reproductive freedom for all.”
Rikelman’s nomination comes just days before the anniversary of the Dobbs decision.
