A Day In the Life of A Judge

Features

Courts & Judiciary

A Day in the Life of a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge

By Judge Kathy A. Surratt-States

For a bankruptcy judge, no two days are the same. This is due to the variety of bankruptcy cases that exist and the complexity of these cases. For Judge Surratt-States, this is part of what makes her job so exciting.

Military & Veterans

A Day in the Life of a Military Trial Judge

By Colonel Linda Strite Murnane

Serving as a military trial judge and chief circuit military judge for Europe, Col. Murnane details her exciting travel experiences and the variety of settings where she has acted as a judge.

Court Administration

The Swearing-In

By Judge Bradley S. Knoll

Through his remarks from a recent swearing-in ceremony, Judge Knoll reflects on transitioning from lawyer to judge. He also shares examples of the necessary challenges, humility, and compassion that come with being a judge.

Courts & Judiciary

One Day in the Life of One State Court Appellate Judge

By Judge Samuel A. Thumma

For Judge Thumma, every day in his role as vice chief judge for the Arizona Court of Appeals in Phoenix is different. He walks readers through an average November day, providing insight into the planned and unplanned events he encountered.

Courts & Judiciary

Life as a U.S. Magistrate Judge

By Judge Noelle C. Collins

Judge Collins recalls being awed by the role of magistrate judge in law school and shares with readers how she was appointed to this role. She also provides a history of the unique position and the multilayered process involved in becoming a magistrate judge.

Court Administration

Reflections of a Former Trial Judge: Looking Through the Rearview Mirror

By Judge Neal W. Dickert, Retired

Judge Dickert offers an introspective and personal look at the perceived role of judges and his thoughts on what a judge should and shouldn’t be, all through the lens of a particularly trying death penalty case.

Military

A Day in the Life of an Appellate Military Judge

By Colonel Rodger A. Drew Jr.

Col. Drew walks readers through his dual experience as a military appellate judge for the Air Force while also serving as a commissioned officer.

Court Administration

A Day in the Life of a General Jurisdiction Elected Trial Judge

By Judge Stephanie Domitrovich

Judge Domitrovich has been a state trial judge since the age of 34. She shares her experience of campaigning in her state of Pennsylvania and provides examples of the many types of cases she hears as a trial judge.

Court Administration

A Typical Week of a City Presiding Judge Outside the Courtroom

By Judge Elizabeth R. Finn

Judge Finn takes readers through a typical week as a judge, which includes working well into the evening most days and more administrative duties than one might expect.

Technology Column

Courts & Judiciary

Is Your Internet Device Spying on You?

By Judge Herbert B. Dixon Jr.

To remind readers of proven, commonsense actions to protect privacy and digital data, Judge Dixon asks the provocative question: Is your Internet device spying on you?

Ethics Column

Ethics

A Day in the Life of a Judicial Ethics Counsel

By Marla N. Greenstein

As with most judges, there is no “typical” day for those who staff judicial conduct commissions. In Greenstein’s role, she provides ethics advice to judges and investigates complaints of ethical misconduct by judges.

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A Day In the Life of A Judge