Transitioning Off the Bench

Features

Legal Education

From Judge to Dean and Back Again Reflections on Transitions

By David F. Levi

Leaving his position as an Article III judge after 17 years, with no 401(k) or vested retirement account, was the right choice for Levi, who went on to apply what he learned as a judge to his role as dean of Duke Law School.

Rule Of Law

Blowing the Dust into the Light

By Colleen McNally

The pandemic, civil unrest, and daily occurrences of injustice cause retired Superior Court Judge McNally to consider how racism affected her life. She describes her observations of racism in the court system and the implications that failing to respond could have on the legitimacy of the judicial branch.

Courts & Judiciary

Crossing the Bar (or Passing the Bar in the Other Direction)

By Robert Edmunds

Leaving the bench by choice or involuntarily comes with losses and gains. However, many opportunities await judges who take the time to get involved, and, in retirement, their leadership skills can find new homes.

Courts & Judiciary

Transforming Justice: The Value of Mediation Training

By Judge Stephanie Domitrovich

By honing mediation skills while on the bench, best learned in a formal mediation course, judges can have a smooth transition into a future career as mediators.

Courts & Judiciary

From Bench to Bar: Transitioning Judges’ Contributions to the Practice of Law

By Lisa M. Geary

As a practitioner and former law clerk to two judges who left the bench, Geary believes retirement does not have to be a time to slow down, but it can be the perfect opportunity for judges (and savvy practitioners) to use their judicial experience and discernment to help clients.

Courts & Judiciary

Retired. Now What? Give Your Time, Talent, and Treasure to Your Community

By Emily Chafa

Recently retired Administrative Law Judge Chafa shares her thoughts on the ways retired judges are well suited to volunteer their time and talent—to provide civics education, to inspire and be inspired by mock trial teams, and to spread the word of the importance of the rule of law and the role of judges.

Courts & Judiciary

Retirement: A Year in Review

By Mark A. Drummond

Drummond shares the events of his first year after retirement. To say that the unexpected happened would be an understatement. He never had, and probably will never have, another year like this one.

Courts & Judiciary

Transitioning off the Bench and Then Some!

By Steven I. Platt

Maryland Senior Judge Platt describes his transition off the full-time bench at the age of 60, the reasons and motivation for that comparatively early transition, and his activities post-transition.

Courts & Judiciary

The Next Big Thing

By Judge Samuel A. Thumma

Even though retirement is still a ways off, Judge Thumma considers what next big things will follow life on the bench. Spoiler alert: It turns out the next big thing may not be big at all.

Technology Column

Telecommunications

Pandemic Potpourri: The Legal Profession’s Rediscovery of Teleconferencing

By Judge Herbert B. Dixon Jr. (Ret.)

Since the nationwide shutdowns caused by the pandemic of 2020, the legal profession has given new consideration for expanded use of teleconferencing to conduct trials and other court proceedings. Judge Dixon rhetorically asks if this is the legal profession’s rediscovery of technology and urges the use of available cybersecurity features to minimize disruption of virtual judicial proceedings and patience as we become accustomed to the new normal.

Ethics Column

Ethics

Ethics for Former Judges

By Marla N. Greenstein

To many, a person who was a judge in the past will always be a judge. With this in mind, even former judges’ speech and actions should be guided by the Code of Judicial Conduct.

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Transitioning Off the Bench

Transitions

Features