Texas Judge Suspended, Ordered to Undergo Psychiatric Evaluation After Racial Remarks

A federal judge in Texas has been suspended from presiding over cases and ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation after allegedly making racially charged remarks to a Latino lawyer. The Judicial Council of the Fifth Circuit initiated an investigation into U.S. District Judge Ada Brown on August 11, following a misconduct complaint filed by civil rights lawyer Ezra Young.

The complaint stemmed from a hearing on April 24, several months after Brown had barred Young from practicing in her Dallas courtroom. During the hearing, Brown questioned Young about sealed documents she had found on his personal website and accused him of mistreating Black attorneys.

According to a transcript shared online by Bloomberg Law, 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?" She added, "You should write that down. I mean… you look like a White man, right?"

Young, who is of Mexican descent and a graduate of Columbia Law School, informed the judge that he is Latino and had adopted his wife's last name. Brown responded, "Well, you are White-presenting; is that fair to say?" Young confirmed he was fair-skinned.

Young is representing a Black law professor who has sued Southern Methodist University. He declined an interview with The Post but confirmed his family's Mexican heritage.

During the same hearing, Brown also accused Young of addressing non-Black attorneys with honorifics while referring to Black lawyers by their first names. She also stated, "You’re the white savior, come to save all the stupid black lawyers in Texas who need your help, from New York."

Young filed his complaint on May 14, expressing concerns about Brown's mental health. In a July 28 response, Brown denied having a mental illness. While she offered an apology, she also maintained that Young exhibited "concerning behavior towards black lawyers, and women that he does not exhibit to white men," according to a copy of the letter reviewed by Bloomberg Law.

Brown stated, "I do not believe my demeanor was inappropriate at any time, especially during the candid conversations about race," though she conceded the discussion "might have been handled more delicately" on her part.

A panel of three judges appointed by Chief Circuit Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod notified Brown on September 10 to attend a meeting on September 21. However, Brown, who had previously indicated she would resign twice before retracting her statements, did not appear. On that same day, she was ordered to undergo an independent psychiatric evaluation within 30 days.

Brown was given seven days to confirm her compliance with the evaluation order but did not respond. In a court document dated October 1, Walker Elrod wrote, "Based on the Committee’s investigation and observations of Judge Brown’s behavior, the Committee determined that there is reasonable basis to conclude that Judge Brown suffers from a mental condition that currently interferes with her ability to perform the responsibilities of the office."

The committee, which is continuing its investigation, noted that Brown has recused herself from more than 40 cases since June 1. The documents indicate that Brown "abandoned her post as a federal judge" and failed to respond to inquiries about her return to duty. Brown also failed to appear for a scheduled interview with the committee on Friday morning.