The National Association of Women Lawyers, Committee for the Evaluation of Supreme Court Nominees, has completed its initial investigation of the qualifications of Judge John G. Roberts, Jr., for the position of Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, following procedures described in the Committee's Mission and Procedures manual (at https://www.abanet.org/nawl/about/sccommitteemanual070505.pdf). The investigation included conducting interviews and reviewing Judge Roberts's available writings and public statements. Consistent with its mission and procedures, the Committee has focused on Judge Roberts's view of laws and decisions that involve women's rights and which have a substantial impact on women, and has inquired into Judge Roberts's history of treatment of female employees, colleagues and attorneys appearing before him in court.

The available record raises questions about Judge Roberts's view of the role of federal courts in ensuring equality of treatment for women and protecting women's rights. As a lawyer and judge, based on interviews the Committee conducted, Judge Roberts has treated individual women lawyers fairly and with respect, has fostered careers of women lawyers, has been helpful in enabling women to address work-life balance issues while advancing professionally, and has been consistently described as respectful to female colleagues, female lawyers appearing before him, and female employees. The Committee's review of Judge Roberts's writings and public statements, however, has raised concerns about the impact of Judge Roberts's judicial philosophy in three broad areas essential to women's rights: (1) the use of state and federal power, (2) laws that have a substantial impact on women, and (3) federal laws intended to protect against discrimination based on sex. The Committee will submit to the Senate Judiciary Committee a detailed list of questions designed to elicit information concerning Judge Roberts's judicial philosophy and approaches to women's rights. We urge the Senate to seek and Judge Roberts to provide such information.

The National Association of Women Lawyers ("NAWL") is the leading national voluntary organization devoted to the interests of women lawyers and women's rights. Founded over 100 years ago, NAWL has members in all 50 states and engages in a variety of programs and activities to advance its mission. For more information about NAWL, go to www.nawl.org. The Committee for the Evaluation of Supreme Court Nominees reviews and evaluates the qualifications of each Presidential nominee to the United States Supreme Court with an emphasis on laws and decisions regarding women's rights or that have a special impact on women. Members of the Committee are appointed by the President of NAWL and include a distinguished array of law professors, appellate practitioners and lawyers concentrating in litigation, with diverse backgrounds from around the country and who work in a variety of professional settings.