The Appellate Division, First Department, held its first-ever oral arguments with an all-Latino panel on Dec. 9. After the court's five justices took the bench, Presiding Justice Rolando Acosta noted the historical significance of the moment. In his opening remarks, Acosta said, "I am proud to underscore that today is the first time in our court's history that we have an all-Latino/Latina bench. As I have previously written, it is difficult to overstate the importance of ensuring that our judiciary reflects the makeup of the citizenry. For one thing, diversity on the bench lends credibility to a justice system that underrepresented groups, such as women and people of color, have historically viewed with suspicion and distrust. There is a genuine need for citizens to see themselves reflected in the judges who serve them, because a diverse judiciary engenders confidence that courts—the last bastion of justice—have the requisite moral authority to dispense justice to all. I am gratified that our court is among the most diverse in the nation, and today's all-Latino panel—a happenstance of our randomized judicial-assignment system—is just another indication of the progress our society has made. Although there is more work to be done, I think New Yorkers can be proud of how far we've come."