The Defending Justice essay series, a joint production of SCAJS and the ABA Journal, is a forum for thoughtful and thought-provoking essays about topics related to judicial independence written by prominent judges, lawyers, ABA members, and advocates for fair, impartial, effective courts.
Does a diverse bench really matter?
October 18, 2018
By Ruthe Ashley
Judicial independence needs to be protected from both internal and external threats
September 27, 2018
By Ming Chin
Can our independent judiciary survive the politicized criticism leveled against it?
September13, 2018
By Robert Bell
Can licensed legal paraprofessionals narrow the access-to-justice gap?
September 6, 2018
By Patrick Mcglone
There is no justice as long as millions lack meaningful access to it
August 30, 2018
By Robert Grey Jr.
What’s politics have to do with it? Reinvigorating our defense of state courts
August 23, 2018
By Barbara Pariente
The ABA has had a long commitment to judicial independence, but how should it meet new challenges?
August 16, 2018
By Edward Madeira
How lawyers and judges can help rebuild public trust and confidence in our justice system
August 9, 2018
By Judy Perry Martinez
Digital age reinforces the need for judiciary to act as a bulwark against tyranny
July 19, 2018
By Rew Goodenow
The rise of dark money is a threat to judicial independence
July 5, 2018
By Alicia Bannon
Trump’s attacks on courts undermine judicial independence
June 28, 2018
By Kevin Judd and Keith Watters
Educating the community about judicial independence can help preserve it
June 21, 2018
By Kathy Bonnifield
How one court preserves judicial independence through strong intergovernmental relations
June 7, 2018
By Elizabeth R. Finn
The organized bar must address attacks on the judiciary
May 31, 2018
By William C. Hubbard
Improving access to justice via technology
May17, 2018
By Frederic Lederer
Judges and the administrative state
May 9, 2018
By H. Alexander Manuel
The ABA’s role in protecting judicial independence
May 1, 2018
By Hilarie Bass
Judicial independence and accountability in administrative law
April 26, 2018
By Edwin Felter Jr.
Fees and fines threaten judicial independence
April 19, 2018
By Matthew Menedez
Supporting independent courts—from the inside out
April 12, 2018
By Jesse Rutledge
A word in favor of judicial elections
April 5, 2018
By Robert H. Edmunds Jr.
Judicial independence—an essential American value
March 29, 2018
By Michael H. Reed
The North Carolina legislature is attacking judges who rule against it
March 22, 2018
By Billy Corriher
How state and local bar associations can protect judges from unfair attacks
March 13, 2018
By Robert M. Carlson
If a nation has no independent judiciary, rights are merely ‘empty promises’
March 1, 2018
By Patricia Timmons-Goodson
Separation of powers lays foundation for judicial independence
February 15, 2018
By John Hardin Young
The judiciary must deal with #MeToo—and with what I know
February 13, 2018
By Nicole Vanderdoes
Why our judges and courts are important
February 1, 2018
By William K. Weisenberg
Judicial Independence: Easy parts and hard parts
January 25, 2018
By James Silkenat
Defending Justice: Essays on judicial independence
January 25, 2018
By Judge Herbert B. Dixon Jr. and Molly McDonough
Each week, be sure to look for the newest Defending Justice essay on the ABA Journal website!