The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals that covers Oklahoma and five other states may see a new judge soon.
Veronica Rossman has worked as a federal public defender for a portion of her career.
Colorado Senator Michael Bennet addressed lawmakers in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday about Rossman’s experience as a public servant.
“If confirmed Veronica would be the only judge on the Tenth Circuit with experience as a public defender. We need more judges like Veronica who are not only highly qualified but who know what it means to be on the wrong end of the legal system that too often fails the most vulnerable in our society,” said Bennet.
Rossman was born in Moscow, Russia. Bennet said her family left that country and came to the US to escape anti-semitism.
Some of his Republican colleagues fear public defenders in positions of power, Bennet said, because they may have ideological slants guiding them, but Bennet doesn’t believe that will be a problem with Rossman.
“Her family’s story has proven her profound appreciation for that at its best the rule of law is an antidote to the arbitrary administration of law based on prejudice.”
Rossman’s appointment will be voted on in Washington Sep. 20 and was recommended by President Biden who is seeking more diversity in the judicial system. His predecessor Donald Trump managed to appoint more than 220 federal judges during his term.