Chief Judge Jose Linares talks Diversity, Vacancies in N.J.

There’s a looming judicial crisis at the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey because of four unfilled vacancies, the court’s chief judge told Bloomberg Law.

The crisis disproportionately affects the poor, including minorities, Chief Judge Jose L. Linares said.

And it comes at a time when diversity at the court has been improving.

Linares believes that all employees in his court have a role to play to make sure that people who come through the courthouse door see others who look like them and have similar backgrounds.

“We’re moving forward” on improving diversity, Linares said but admitted ...