Record of Judge Sonia Sotomayor

Background

July 2009

Judge Sotomayor's Legal Record: Equal Protection

July 2009

Judge Sotomayor does not have an extensive record on the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law in any context,[1] and the Center did not find any cases in which she evaluated the merits of a sex discrimination claim brought under the Equal Protection Clause. In addition, Judge Sotomayor did not testify about this issue at her confirmation hearing.

Judge Sotomayor's Legal Record: Federal Anti-Discrimination Protections

July 2009

Americans With Disabilities Act ( ADA)

Judge Sotomayor has not presided over many cases raising ADA claims, but several of the cases in which she wrote opinions are notable because they demonstrate Judge Sotomayor's careful review of the record and respect for the rights of the disabled. There was no testimony of note about ADA or other disability-related issues at her confirmation hearing.

The National Women’s Law Center (“the Center”) has reviewed Judge Sotomayor’s legal record, with a focus on cases addressing issues of particular importance to women.  In addition, the Center has reviewed key activities, public statements, and experiences of Judge Sotomayor outside of her service on the bench, and her testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee during her confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which began on July 13, 2009, and continued until July 16, 2009.  This report, which presents this analysis, is intended to educate the public not only about Judge Sotomayor’s record, but also more broadly about legal rights of key importance to women and the importance of fair and independent courts.

Judge Sotomayor's Legal Record: Other Civil Rights Issues

July 2009

Voting Rights

Judge Sotomayor's dissent in a voting rights case demonstrates a robust reading of voting rights protections based on the plain language of the Voting Rights Act.

Judge Sotomayor's Legal Record: Other Issues That Have an Impact on Women's Rights

July 2009

Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women

Judge Sotomayor's Legal Record: Other Issues That Have an Impact on Women's Rights

July 2009

Private Rights of Action

The Record of Judge Sonia Sotomayor on Critical Legal Rights for Women: Right to Privacy and Abortion

Prior to the hearings, it did not appear that Judge Sotomayor had stated publicly her legal views regarding Roe v. Read more...