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Descriptive representation is an important issue within democratic institutions. Although constitutionally designed to be the least popularly accountable branch of government, issues of representation can be just as important for the nation's federal judiciary. In this paper, we examine the descriptive representation of jurists on the federal appellate courts. More specifically, we analyze the background characteristics of judges on the US Courts of Appeals from 1801-2012 and of justices on the US Supreme Court for its entire history commencing in 1789. In terms of background characteristics, we look to racial and gender diversity. However, we also look beyond these more traditional representative characteristics, as we also examine ethnic, religious, and professional backgrounds of federal judges. We find that the federal courts have been dominated by judges whose backgrounds reflect immigration patters in the country, as early on most judges were White males of northern European descent with Protestant affiliations. However, as immigration patterns changed to more southern European trends as well as from Latin America and Asia, eventually judges reflected these broader changes in society. As well, gender and racial diversity has increased in the past few generations. Moreover, the professional backgrounds of federal judges include many with prosecutorial or other government experience, whether appointed or elected. These findings show that judges are involved and experienced in politics prior to their ascent to the federal courts, which along with their background characteristics may influence their decision making on the bench. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

President Reagan's nomination of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's nomination as the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court was historic in many ways. As a justice who served for over 20 years, Justice O'Connor proved to be a critical voice on a number of legal issues, particularly as she became the median justice toward the end of her tenure. As the first woman on the Supreme Court, she also seemed to symbolize the beginning of new opportunities for women and others who had largely been left out of the political system, at least in terms of representation. In fact, some have asserted that her elevation to the Court may have led to greater numbers of women and other political minorities being selected to lower courts throughout the land. In this paper, we test that conventional wisdom. In particular, what influence - if any - did Justice O'Connor's nomination have on judicial diversity in the federal courts? As women and other political minorities continue to gain seats on the American judiciary, did her nomination represent a watershed for gender and racial diversity in the courts? Employing a dataset we compiled on judicial diversity in the federal Courts of Appeals and District Courts, we find that Justice O'Connor's appointment did indeed lead to more women in the federal judiciary. Interestingly, the influence of her nomination seems limited to women, but did not carry over to racial and ethnic minorities. Thus, we do find the influence of an "O'Connor Effect," though it is more nuanced and complex than simply asserting that her historic appointment reverberated throughout the judiciary. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]