Legal News

Will Senators Make Hay out of Soto?s All-Female Networking Club?

By Ashby Jones

The early torrent of stories about Sonia Sotomayor has, somewhat mercifully, slowed to a trickle. But an NYT article out Tuesday raises a novel issue on the topic: whether Sotomayor’s participation an all-female networking club violates the Code of Judicial Conduct.

In a letter submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Judge Sotomayor defended her participation in the group, known as the Belizean Grove. "I am a member of the Belizean Grove, a private organization of female professionals from the profit, nonprofit and social sectors," Judge Sotomayor wrote. "The organization does not invidiously discriminate on the basis of sex. Men are involved in its activities - they participate in trips, host events and speak at functions - but to the best of my knowledge, a man has never asked to be considered for membership."

According to the NYT, Sotomayor’s remarks indicate that some senators have taken an interest in her membership in the group. Added Sotomayor: “I do not believe that my membership in the Belizean Grove violates the Code of Judicial Conduct."

The code says judges should avoid giving the appearance of "impropriety" by holding "membership in any organization that practices invidious discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion or national origin." An organization is said to "discriminate invidiously if it arbitrarily excludes from membership" on the basis of such factors "persons who would otherwise be admitted to membership," it says.

According to the Belizean Grove’s Web site, the group is a "constellation of influential women" who are building "long-term, mutually beneficial relationships." It was founded as a counterpart to the all-male Bohemian Grove, a legendary club of elite politicians, businessmen and other leaders who meet every year at a retreat in California.

Full post as published by Law Blog - WSJ.com on June 16, 2009 (boomark / email).