WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both D-N.J.) today applauded the Senate confirmation of Ms. Evelyn Padin to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Padin, who was confirmed by a 51-43 vote, is the sixth Biden nominee seated on New Jersey’s federal bench, which had been facing a declared “judicial emergency” due to several longstanding district court vacancies prior to the Biden Administration.

“Today, the Senate confirmed a sixth U.S. District Court Judge for the District of New Jersey. I’m proud to have recommended Ms. Evelyn Padin for this nomination and voted today in support of her confirmation,” said Sen. Menendez. “Beyond her impeccable credentials and her lived experience as a barrier-breaking Latina in New Jersey and the legal profession, Ms. Padin has a relentless commitment to equal justice under the law that will shine when she assumes her place on the federal bench. It was an honor to have introduced Ms. Padin at her March nomination hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee and I congratulate her for her confirmation as the newest U.S. District Court judge for the Garden State.”

“I am proud to have voted to confirm Ms. Evelyn Padin to serve on the bench of the US District Court for the District of New Jersey,” said Sen. Booker. “Ms. Padin’s confirmation moves us one step closer to creating a judicial system that reflects the diversity of America, and I look forward to seeing her apply her impressive experience and extensive legal expertise in continued service to the people of New Jersey.”

Before her confirmation, Ms. Padin served as the past president of the New Jersey State Bar Association, where she was the first puertoriqueña and the first Latina to serve in the role. She has also paved the way for future generations of Latina lawyers, not only as an attorney and the founder of her own practice, but also as a trustee to the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey and the Board of Governors for the New Jersey Association for Justice. In addition to a lengthy career as a litigator, Padin also served as a Municipal Court Judge for the Jersey City Municipal Court, where she presided over close to 3,000 cases. She was born and raised in New Jersey, earning her undergraduate degree from Rutgers University, a Masters of Social Work from Fordham University, and her law degree from Seton Hall University.

Before Padin’s confirmation, the Senate confirmed Georgette Castner on March 31st and Christine P. O’Hearn on March 1st. Last year, the Senate confirmed the appointments of Judges Zahid QuraishiJulien X. Neals andKaren M. Williams to serve on New Jersey’s District Cour