Biden taps Vt. Justice Robinson for seat on US appeals court

WASHINGTON (WCAX) - President Joe Biden Thursday nominated Vermont Supreme Court Justice Beth Robinson to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Robinson would be the first openly LGBTQ woman to ever serve on any U.S. appeals court if confirmed. Prior to joining the Vermont Supreme Court, Robinson served as co-counsel in the case of Baker v. State, the landmark 1999 decision that led to Vermont becoming the first state to enact civil unions.

Senator Patrick Leahy in a statement praised the nomination. “Today is a good day for Vermont. I am incredibly proud that President Biden has nominated Vermont’s very own Justice Beth Robinson to serve as a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. I strongly praise President Biden for nominating Justice Robinson, who has been a tireless champion for equal rights and equal justice in the mold of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I know that, if confirmed, Justice Robinson would serve on the Second Circuit with integrity, humility, and a deep reverence for the rule of law. And I have no doubt that she would make all Vermonters and Americans proud,” he said.

“Justice Robinson has been a steadfast public servant for the people of Vermont and has served admirably on the Vermont Supreme Court. She will make a great addition to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, bringing the Vermont values of commitment to justice and equality, fairness, and Freedom & Unity to the bench,” said Gov. Phil Scott in a statement. “I applaud the president for making this historic nomination, and I urge the United States Senate to move expeditiously towards her confirmation.”

Robinson was appointed to the Vermont Supreme Court as an associate justice in 2011 by Gov. Peter Shumlin. She received her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1989 and her B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1986.

Jared Carter is a professor at the Vermont Law School. He joined our Darren Perron to discuss the nomination and to talk about what would happen to Robinson’s seat on the Vermont Supreme Court if she’s confirmed. Watch the video to see the full interview.

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