A Latino attorney has filed a misconduct complaint against a federal judge, accusing her of making racially charged insults during a court hearing in Dallas, Texas. Attorney Ezra Young alleges that US District Judge Ada Brown made disparaging remarks about his perceived race and "White mediocrity" during a proceeding on April 24.

Brown, who is Black with Native American ancestry, was presiding over a hearing to determine whether Young should face sanctions for his conduct while representing a Black law professor who sued Southern Methodist University for denying tenure. The hearing occurred months after Brown had already revoked Young's permission to practice in her courtroom.

According to court transcripts, Brown stated, "I think what's happening here, quite candidly, is you are very intimidated for some reason, Mr Young, with Black excellence, in light of your White mediocrity. Yeah. Right?"

When Young identified himself as Latino, the judge reportedly questioned his appearance, asking, "You look like a White man, right?" and "Well, you are White presenting; is that fair to say?"

Young, who described himself as "fair-skinned," was further accused by the judge of having "White privilege" after he argued that his client had not received crucial evidence. Brown allegedly told him, "You're the White savior, come to save all the stupid Black lawyers in Texas who need your help, from New York."

Young expressed that he was "disgusted and mortified" by the judge's insinuations of prejudice.

The judge also reportedly insulted Young by calling him a "Chad," a term she defined as someone who "calls the manager when they don't get their way" and "stomps their foot when the rules are supposed to apply to them." She used this term while criticizing Young over a news article about his client's tenure case that quoted a law professor comparing the denial to a "lynching." Brown accused Young of fabricating the quote for publicity, questioning, "where the lynching in this case came from?"

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Additionally, the judge allegedly presented Young with a 1920 newspaper article detailing a lynching and accused him of posting sealed court filings on his personal website, an allegation Young denied.

Following the hearing, Young filed a formal complaint. A judicial investigation was subsequently launched, leading to Brown's temporary removal from her assigned cases earlier this month, according to reports.

In a 76-page written response, Brown defended her conduct, maintaining she acted appropriately. However, she acknowledged that discussions about race could have been handled "more delicately." The judge also stated she would recuse herself from any future proceedings involving Young.

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Brown was appointed to the federal bench by President Donald Trump in 2019.