Welcome to the ABA Judicial Division, National Conference of the Administrative Law Judiciary (NCALJ)!
I am honored to be sworn in as Chair of our conference for the 2024-2025 term. As I take on this role, I am humbled to lead a dedicated group of judges who are respected leaders in courts across the country at both the federal and state levels.
I inherit a capable and experienced team, most recently led by our Immediate Past Chair, Judge David Welch. Under his leadership, NCALJ has strengthened partnerships with colleagues abroad while addressing key legal issues facing the administrative judiciary. Whether analyzing judicial independence, enhancing judicial security, or exploring the role of artificial intelligence in the courtroom, our judges are committed to ensuring NCALJ members stay informed and prepared for new challenges. Our efforts have included publishing legal articles in the Judges Journal and hosting panel discussions and webinars featuring experts in the field.
With our strong team in place, we are excited to announce our 2024-2025 strategic plan, which includes a comprehensive set of committees and working groups. This plan highlights four key focus areas for the coming year, each with specific activities and timelines.
Pillar 1: Judicial Security
Goal: Enhance safety measures for administrative judges.
Activities:
- Ongoing: Support the Association of Administrative Law Judges (AALJ) initiative on judicial safety, building on the ABA’s Resolution supporting such efforts.
- Ongoing: Raise awareness of judicial security concerns by coordinating with ABA Public and Government Affairs through public statements, social media campaigns, and media outreach.
- Ongoing: Identify and advocate for legislation aimed at improving judicial protections.
Pillar 2: Free Speech and the Judiciary
Goal: Examine challenges to free speech rights for administrative judges and federal employees.
Activities:
- September 2024: Collaborate with Judge Jodi Levine, the ABA Section of State and Local Government Law, and the Civil Rights Section to develop an online panel discussion on free speech rights.
- October-November 2024: Promote and publicize the panel discussion.
- December 2024: Co-host an online panel discussion with potential partners such as the Office of Special Counsel, media organizations, and the Knight Institute.
Pillar 3: The Changing Landscape of Administrative Law
Goal: Analyze the evolving nature of administrative law and its impact on judicial independence.
Activities:
- Ongoing: Monitor and assess recent court decisions such as Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jarkesy and Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo to evaluate their effect on judicial and administrative deference.
- May 2025: Organize an educational program examining the implications of recent court decisions.
- Ongoing: Conduct research on changes in administrative law and their impact on judicial authority.
In addition, we will enhance communication and engagement with members by updating the NCALJ webpage to facilitate participation in committees and working groups, as well as distributing email announcements about upcoming programs and opportunities.
We remain committed to strengthening our partnerships within the ABA and the broader legal community. Key partners include the Association of European Administrative Judges (AEAJ), the Federal Bar Association (FBA), the National Judicial College (NJC), the Federal Administrative Law Judiciary (FALJ), the National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ), and the Association of Administrative Law Judges (AALJ).
These are challenging times for the administrative judiciary, and I’m delighted to be at the forefront with all of you, as we continue to build ever stronger support for our administrative judges.
Sincerely,
Mimi Tsankov*
Chair, ABA Judicial Division, NCALJ
*Disclaimer - Mimi Tsankov is participating in this activity in her capacity as President, National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ), which is affiliated with the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) as Judicial Council 2, and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). The views expressed here represent the author’s personal opinions or those of NAIJ and do not represent the official views of the Department of Justice or the Executive Office for Immigration Review.