For the first time in modern history, a Native American woman will serve as a federal district court judge in California

Superior Court Judge Sunshine Sykes testifying before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, February 1, 2022 (image courtesy of U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee)

By Procopio Associate Anna Hohag

History was made yesterday, May 18, 2022, as the United States Senate voted 51-45 to confirm current Superior Court Judge Sunshine Sykes to serve as a federal district court judge for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Judge Sunshine Sykes (Diné) is a citizen of the Navajo Nation with deeps roots serving Indian Country and California, including serving in numerous roles early in her legal career for California Indian Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm advocating for Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and Native rights. Since 2013, Judge Sykes has served as Riverside Superior Court judge in Riverside, CA, where she will maintain her federal court chambers.

The United States District Court for the Central District of California is a federal trial court that serves over 19 million people in Southern and Central California. It also serves as a federal forum for dozens of tribes located in Southern and Central California, a state with one of the largest populations of Native Americans and home to over 109 federally-recognized tribes. While Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians) make up about 2.9 percent of the population in the United States, they comprise of only about 0.2 percent of the more than 1.2 million attorneys in the United States. As a result, this has led to the severe invisibility of Native American attorneys and experiences in the legal profession, an issue being studied and addressed by the National Native American Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Judge Sykes will now join the ranks alongside only four other active Native American judges — all women — serving on the federal bench.

Procopio has followed Judge Sykes’ career for many years and we are proud to recognize and celebrate this monumental achievement for Judge Sykes along with all of Indian Country and the California legal community! We commend President Biden on nominating Judge Sykes and the U.S. Senate for confirming her historic selection. As a member of our Native American Practice Group along with other Native American women attorneys, I am proud of our strong Native women presence and leadership— the future is bright. Future generations will see leaders like Judge Sykes in these positions of impact – making the legal profession and judicial system more respectable, reliable, and attainable for all, including our nation’s first peoples.

Anna Hohag is a citizen of the Bishop Paiute Tribe and a member of Procopio’s Native American Practice Group. Her practice primarily focuses on advising Tribal governments and Tribal entities on a variety of issues including Tribal law and policy development, intergovernmental agreements, board governance, cultural and natural resources, and economic development.

Congratulations Judge Sykes for Re-election to Riverside County Superior Court Bench!

By: Jaclyn A. Simi | Attorney
Theodore J. Griswold | Partner | ted.griswold@procopio.com

In December 2013, Governor Jerry Brown appointed attorney Sunshine Sykes as the first-ever Native American woman on the Riverside County Superior Court Bench. Just 4 months later, her seat was challenged. This week, the Riverside County voters reaffirmed her selection by re-electing Judge Sykes to the bench with 68.81% of the vote!

Judge Sykes is a member of the Navajo Nation and has nearly 15 years of broad legal experience behind her.  Impressively, Judge Sykes received her B.A. from Stanford University and her J.D. from Stanford Law School. She is also a mother of 4 daughters. Judge Sykes was the honored speaker at Procopio’s International Women of Color Day Reception earlier this year.

This news comes on the heels of last month’s confirmation of Diane Humetewa as the first-ever Native American woman to serve as a U.S. District Court judge. Diane Humetewa is a member of the Hopi Nation and will serve on the bench in Arizona.

Judge Sykes and Diane Humetewa make me proud to be a Native American woman. Thank you both for paving the way for other Native American women and making a positive impact on the world!

Although the information contained herein is provided by professionals at Procopio, the content and information should not be used as a substitute for professional services. If legal or other professional advice is required, the services of a professional should be sought.

Jaclyn Simi was a 2012 Procopio Native American Intern and is currently an associate in Procopio’s Labor and Employment Practice Team and Native American Practice Group.

Ted is head of the Native American Law practice group and primary editor for the Blogging Circle. Connect with Ted at ted.griswold@procopio.com and 619.515.3277.