Robed Representatives

Name: Robed Representatives
Price: 300 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9781503640627

How Black Judges Advocate in American Courts

Taneisha Means Davis

$300

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Stanford University Press
24 February 2026

Social & cultural history; Ethnic studies; Black & Asian studies; Regional government; Judicial powers

The number of Black state and federal judges has grown considerably in the post-Civil Rights Era. They are, in fact, the second most represented group of judges in the state and federal courts. Furthermore, historic appointments of Black men and women to the federal judiciary, including Ketanji Brown Jackson, as well as generally increased calls for the diversification of the courts in recent years have renewed questions about judicial representation. What does having more Black judges in courthouses and communities mean for the political representation of Black people and Black interests?

In Robed Representatives, Taneisha Means Davis offers new insights into the lives, identity politics, and actions of Black state court judges. The narratives centered in the book reveal an identity-to-politics link that exists among Black judges that lead them to represent their group interests. This link is corroborated with data that highlights numerous previously unidentified manifestations of racial representation in the legal system. Means demonstrates that only through exploration of the lives, identities, and behaviors of historically underrepresented judges will it be possible to arrive at a comprehensive understanding of the importance—and limitations—of racial diversity in the courts.

By: Taneisha Means Davis
Imprint: Stanford University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: New edition
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm,
ISBN: 9781503640627
ISBN 10: 1503640620
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 24 February 2026
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Taneisha Means Davis is Assistant Professor of Political Science on the Class of 1951 Chair at Vassar College.

Reviews for Robed Representatives: How Black Judges Advocate in American Courts

""Means Davis takes the personal element of judging to a different and deeper level by proposing the theory of advocative representation involving Black Judges in American courts. I do not know of any other such book on the market. The book represents an important theoretical enhancement of what we know about judicial decision making, especially at the trial court level where most Black judges work. A must read and a wonderful achievement!"" --Isaac Unah, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ""This pathbreaking book presents an innovative theory of advocative representation and rich supportive empirical evidence that promises to reshape the way we think about judicial politics. An outstanding accomplishment."" --Greg Goelzhauser, Utah State University