August 2007

Mary M. Schroeder Chief Judge

Welcome to the new Internet web site of the United States Courts for the Ninth Circuit.  This site will provide you with general information about the federal judicial system and specific information about federal courts in the Ninth Circuit, which encompasses nine western states and two Pacific Island jurisdictions.

The information found here is organized primarily by type of court – appellate, district and bankruptcy.  Sections of the site have been designed specifically with the bar, media and educators/students in mind.  You also will find the latest news on judicial nominations and confirmations; appointments of bankruptcy judges, magistrate judges and Federal Public Defenders; courthouse building projects; caseload statistics and trends; and other helpful information.  I hope you will spend some time browsing the site and give us feedback using the email dialogue box found on our home page.

I also invite you to check back periodically for updates to the “Message from the Chief Judge.”  I plan to use this space to highlight matters of particular importance to the judiciary.  Most noteworthy right now is the work that lays ahead for the 110^th Congress in addressing issues affecting the federal courts, particularly immigration reform.

I very much look forward to working with the new Congress and its new leadership.  I know House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  They are fellow westerners who understand the geography, demographics and economics of the Ninth Circuit.  They also have been strong supporters of the judiciary and I am confident that under their leadership, our two branches of government will be able to work more closely together in the future.

Immigration reform will demand such close cooperation.  It is a broad and complex problem with major implications for the federal courts, particularly the Ninth Circuit.  It is very important that Congress ensure that the provisions of any new immigration law can be administered fairly and effectively by the courts.  To do that will require meaningful input from the judiciary as the legislative process moves forward.

Our democracy is based on equal and separate branches of government, working together to solve problems.  I am optimistic that good progress can be made on immigration reform and other issues in the coming term.