WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) applauded the U.S. Senate’s vote to confirm Embry J. Kidd as United States Circuit Judge for the Eleventh Circuit. Judge Kidd, a distinguished jurist with deep ties to Florida and an extensive legal background, will bring his expertise and integrity to the federal appellate bench.

“Judge Embry Kidd has served Florida and our nation with an unwavering commitment to justice and fairness,” said Rep. Castor. “From his time as a highly respected federal prosecutor to his service as a magistrate judge from central Florida, he has earned a stellar reputation for his intellect, fairness and dedication to the law. His confirmation to the Eleventh Circuit is a win for the rule of law and for all those who seek justice in our courts.”

Judge Kidd, a Birmingham native and graduate of Emory University and Yale Law School, has built an impressive career. As a magistrate judge in the Middle District of Florida and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Judge Kidd handled high-profile civil and criminal cases. Known for his fair and thoughtful approach, Judge Kidd has presided over cases that have shaped the legal landscape in Florida and beyond.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit was established in 1981 to cover Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Forty judges have served on the court, but only three have been Black, despite the court’s rulings impacting millions, including approximately nine million Black people across the Southeast. Judge Joseph Hatchett was the first in 1979, becoming the first Black judge to be appointed to a federal appeals court in the Deep South.