2021 Fall Edition

Court Administration

Director's Column

By Tori Jo Wible, Chicago, IL

And we thought this year would be different! The virus and its variants are still with us, politics are still contentious, the seasons still change. Is this our next normal? For people who need to plan, it’s been trying to say the least.

Court Administration

Focus on Future Remote Proceedings is Everywhere

By Hon. Peter Buchsbaum, Stockton, NJ

Change is coming to the courts. The discussion at the May 2021 annual Civil Bench Bar meeting in Hunterdon County in western New Jersey demonstrates the pervasive impact of the pandemic even in a relatively staid and conservative state court vicinage

Tribal Law & Courts

2021 ABA Judicial Clerkship Program Examines Indian Law: Reflections from Participants

By Hon. Meredith D. Drent, Eric Williams, and Jae-Lyn Takemura, with additional contributions by Professor Frank Sullivan, Jr.

Does a police officer of an Indian tribe have authority to detain temporarily and search a non-Indian on a public right-of-way within a reservation based on a potential violation of state or federal law? This was the research exercise at the 2021 JCP

Courts & Judiciary

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Judiciary Highlighted in Standing Committee on Diversity in the Judiciary Program

By Col Linda Strite Murnane (Ret.), Xenia, Ohio

On August 4, during the ABA Hybrid Annual Meeting, the Standing Committee on Diversity in the Judiciary presented a program highlighting the unique challenges and successes of judges representing diversity, equity and inclusion in action.

Diversity & Inclusion

Youth Outreach Program at the 2021 Annual Meeting

By Hon. Ann Breen-Greco, Chicago, IL, Hon. Emily Chafa (Ret.), Johnston, IA, and Hon. Elizabeth Finn, (Ret.), Phoenix, AZ

The Standing Committee on Diversity in the Judiciary conducted its usual Youth Outreach Program during the 2021 ABA Annual Meeting. This virtual afternoon Outreach event involved Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s program called One Summer Chicago.

Courts & Judiciary

AJC Chair's Column

By Hon. Samuel A. Thumma, Phoenix, AZ

I am delighted to chair the Appellate Judges Conference (AJC) for 2021-2022. Outgoing Chair Indiana Supreme Court Justice Steve David did amazing things under impossible circumstances this past year.

Courts & Judiciary

CAL Chair's Column

By Brian Miller, Corpus Christi, TX

We hope to see many of you at the nation’s premier appellate bench-bar event – the Appellate Judges Education Institute Summit.

Appellate Practice

CASA Chair's Column

By William T. Owen, Nashville, TN

My year as chair of the Council of Appellate Staff Attorneys has been both challenging and rewarding. As I look back over my term, I am grateful for the hard work and support of my fellow CASA members.

Courts & Judiciary

LC Chair's Column

By Shenique A. Moss, Detroit, MI

It is such a tremendous honor to serve you as the 2021-2022 Chair of the Lawyers Conference of the American Bar Association’s Judicial Division (LC).

Administrative Law

NCALJ Chair's Column

By Hon. John C. Allen, IV, Chicago, IL

Welcome to the 2021-2022 ABA year. I am honored to be serving as the Chair of the National Conference of the Administrative Law Judiciary.

Courts & Judiciary

NCFTJ Chair's Column

By Hon. Diana Song Quiroga, Laredo, TX

Just when we began feeling a sense of euphoria and relief at the prospect of putting behind us the daunting year we endured under the Covid-19 pandemic, the Delta variant is sabotaging our fall plans.

Courts & Judiciary

NCSCJ Chair's Column

By Hon. Phinia Aten, Conyers, GA

When the Honorable Ron Ramsey passed the gavel to me during the Annual Meeting, I felt so many dichotomies of emotions, such as joy stimulated by a new challenge & nervousness brought on from a national spotlight and new leadership responsibilities.

Court Administration

NCSCJ Names Award and Recognition Honorees

By Col. Linda Strite Murnane (Ret.), Xenia, OH

During the first ABA Hybrid Annual Meeting in August 2021, the JD's National Conference of Specialized Court Judges selected three outstanding judges to receive its annual awards and recognition.

Courts & Judiciary

Special Report: ABA Summons Judges to Help Afghani Colleagues

By Col. Linda Strite Murnane (Ret.), Xenia, OH

Compelling. Shocking. Disappointing. That’s the takeaway from a JD cosponsored program on the efforts to support evacuation from Afghanistan of American citizens, those who worked with and besides U.S. forces and as many as 250 Afghani women judges.

International Law

Statement of ABA President Reginald Turner Re: Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, August 16, 2021 – The American Bar Association is deeply saddened and concerned about the demise of the rule of law in Afghanistan as the Taliban takes control of the Afghan government and society.

Courts & Judiciary

Coming Out of COVID: Judicial Education, Fellowship and “Jazz with The Judges”

By Hon. Richard Ginkowski, Pleasant Prairie, WI

Fellowship, problem sharing and problem solving with cool jazz topped the agenda for the North Georgia Judicial Summit held June 26 at Inola Blue Ridge north of Atlanta.

Courts & Judiciary

NCSTJ Chair's Column

By Hon. David M. Connors, Farmington, UT

At the beginning of this new year for the Judicial Division’s National Conference of State Trial Judges, I want to thank all of you for allowing me the opportunity of serving you as the Chair of our Conference.