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    August 08, 2024

    National Conference of Administrative Law Judges Chair's Welcome Message

    Mimi Tsankov*

    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 the reins, quite frankly, I’m humbled to lead our incredible team of dedicated judges who themselves are distinguished leaders in their courts around the country in settings both federal and state. 

    I inherit a well-grounded and capable team that’s been led most ably by our Immediate Past Chair, Judge David Welch, who himself has been working to solidify partnerships with colleagues overseas while guiding our efforts to grapple with a wide range of legal questions confronting the federal and state administrative law judiciary. Whether it is examining threats to judicial independence, raising awareness about judicial security concerns, or explaining how artificial intelligence is being used in the courthouse, our judges are committed to keeping NCALJ members abreast of evolving developments so that they are ready to face emerging challenges in their home courts. We’ve published legal articles in the ABA Judicial Division’s flagship magazine, the Judges Journal, and convened panel programs and webinars featuring experts in the field which explore the latest developments facing federal and state administrative judges and administrative law judges.

    With our dedicated team, we are excited to announce the following 2024 - 2025 strategic plan incorporating our comprehensive line up of committees and working groups. This plan outlines four key areas of focus for NCALJ over the next year. Each pillar has well-defined and specific activities and timelines to achieve our goals.

    Pillar 1: Gender Diversity in the Judiciary

    Goal: Assess the current state of gender diversity in the judiciary and advocate for increased representation.

    Activities:

    • August 2024: Establish a working group to assess gender diversity in the judiciary at all levels (federal, state, local).
    • September - December 2024: Conduct research using data analysis and surveys to measure representation.
    • January 2025:  Partner with ABA UNR in preparation for CSW69 (Commission on the Status of Women) focusing on gender equality in the judiciary to report on findings (https://www.unwomen.org/en/how-we-work/commission-on-the-status-of-women).
    • February 2025: Finalize research report on gender diversity in the judiciary.
    • March 2025: Submit a report to UN Women and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, and present findings at a program held in conjunction with ABA groups, the Federal Bar Association, and the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ).

    Pillar 2: Improving Judicial Safety for the Administrative Judiciary

    Goal: Improve the physical safety of judges.

    Activities: 

    • Ongoing:  Actively support the Association of Administrative Law Judges (AALJ) initiative on judicial safety which builds on the ABA’s Resolution supporting such efforts.
    • Ongoing: Raise awareness of threats to judicial safety by coordinating with ABA Public and Government Affairs through public statements, social media campaigns, and media outreach.
    • Ongoing: Identify and advocate for legislation that protects judges.

    Pillar 3: Protecting Free Speech

    Goal: Raise awareness about threats to free speech rights for judges in the administrative judiciary and federal employees generally.

    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 online panel discussion.
    • December 2024: Co-host an online panel discussion on free speech rights for judges in the administrative judiciary and federal employees.
    • Proposed partners include the Office of Special Counsel, media partners, and the Knight Institute.

    Pillar 4: Administrative Law in Flux

    Goal: Understand the evolving landscape of administrative law and its impact on judicial independence.

    Activities:

    • Ongoing:   Monitor and analyze recent court decisions like Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jarkesy and Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and the potential impact on judicial and administrative deference.
    • May 2025: Organize an educational program to discuss the implications of recent court decisions for the administrative judiciary. 
    • Ongoing:  Conduct research on the relationship between changes in administrative law and judicial independence.

    In addition, we plan to improve our communication and engagement with members throughout the year by upgrading the NCALJ webpage to facilitate participation in committees and working groups, and releasing email announcements about upcoming programs and opportunities. Sign up for Committees here.

    We’ll be continuing to strengthen our partnerships both within the ABA and with other law community partners, including 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), the Association of Administrative Law Judges (AALJ), and the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ).

    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.

    Mimi Tsankov

    Chair, ABA Judicial Division, NCALJ

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