US Senate confirms Georgia woman in 11th Circuit Court of Appeals |

Nancy Abudu

ATLANTA — The US Senate on Thursday narrowly confirmed Georgia civil rights attorney Nancy Abudu as the first black woman to serve on the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

The Democratic-controlled Senate voted 49 to 47, mostly bipartisan, to confirm Abudu, who has faced criticism from Republicans during the confirmation process for her work for the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) since 2019.

“Nancy is an exceptionally qualified and experienced lawyer committed to the US Constitution and to upholding the fundamental rights of all people,” said Margaret Huang, CEO of the SPLC. “She has a brilliant legal mind and will bring the fairness and intellectual prowess that this judicial office requires.”

Most recently, Abudu served as director of strategic litigation for the SPLC. She also founded the Center’s Voting Rights Practice Group, a team dedicated to strengthening US democracy and protecting the voting rights of communities of color.

She previously worked for the American Civil Liberties Union.

“Nancy Abudu is a champion of justice and a staunch public servant,” said Senator Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. “I am pleased that Ms. Abudu, a tireless advocate for the rule of law and a dedicated minister of communities throughout Georgia and the South, will soon be serving on the 11th Circuit Court.”

Abudu’s nomination by President Joe Biden was held up in the Senate by the absence of Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-Calif., who missed several weeks in the Capitol due to illness before returning earlier this month.

The 11th Judicial District has jurisdiction over federal cases in Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

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