Spring 2020 News and Updates No images? Click here From the Director Just a few weeks ago, we were making plans for our 2020 Bolch Prize ceremony honoring Dikgang Moseneke (pictured with me above, at left), the distinguished former deputy chief justice of the South Africa Constitutional Court. We were completing preparations for our second annual Mass-Tort and MDL Certificate Program, at which we planned to honor the late Duke Law Professor Francis McGovern, who passed away unexpectedly in February. And we were making arrangements to honor the 21 judges who are graduating this spring from our Master of Judicial Studies program and to welcome our entering class of judges whose coursework was to begin in May. What a difference a month makes. Our Bolch Prize ceremony and MDL certificate program have been postponed. We are sending emails of congratulations to our Class of 2020 MJS graduates rather than cheering them on at our commencement ceremony. And we made the difficult decision to delay our incoming class's arrival to May 2021. As hard as these changes have been, we are grateful that the legal community has risen to the numerous seemingly insurmountable challenges of this crisis by shifting court proceedings, law school classes, and critical legal services to online platforms. We are finding new ways of doing things, and that may be the silver lining of this crisis. Much of our work continues as well: Our spring edition of Judicature has published, and it is terrific. We have new podcasts for you to enjoy. And we have launched a video and podcast series, in partnership with the American Law Institute, titled Coping with COVID, to examine the many changes and challenges of this time; I hope you will take some time to watch and hear from the many legal leaders who are meeting this crisis with resolve, creativity, and an eye toward emerging stronger and better as a profession and nation. Let me know what you think. — David F. Levi Recent News Coping with COVIDThe Bolch Judicial Institute and the American Law Institute are co-producing a video and podcast series about the pandemic's impact on the legal system. On Episode 1, state and federal judges discuss the courts' response. On Episode 2, legal aid leaders discuss the challenges they face. Judgment Calls PodcastFormer Massachusetts Chief Justice Margaret Marshall joins David F. Levi in the latest episode of Judgment Calls. She discusses her unique life story, from growing up under apartheid in South Africa to writing the opinion that made Massachusetts the first state to legalize same-sex marriage. Conversation with a Freedom FighterDikgang Moseneke, former deputy chief justice of the South Africa Constitutional Court and the 2020 recipient of the Bolch Prize for the Rule of Law, discusses his memoir, My Own Liberator. Examining Eyewitness Evidence The new edition of Judicature features a four-part examination of new scientific perspectives on the reliability of eyewitness evidence and how courts can adapt.
Crisis Resources for CourtsThe Bolch Judicial Institute has created a resource page for judges who are managing courts through the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes links to state, federal, and international court information. Click below to see the page; email us bolchjudicialinstitute@law.duke.edu to submit a resource for the page. Judge ReadsNow might be a good time to take a break and read. If you need some ideas, check out Judge Reads, our new series of short book recommendations for and from judges, updated weekly. Got a book to recommend? Email us at judicature@law.duke.edu. In Case You Missed It Honoring Duke Law Professor Francis McGovernMcGovern's unexpected passing shocked and saddened colleagues and friends around the country. Read more > Mass-Tort and MDL Certificate Program (postponed)Learn more about the program and sign up to receive information about new dates. Former Chief Justice Margaret Marshall (Mass.) serves as Bolch Judicial Institute Distinguished Judge in ResidenceChief Justice Marshall met with students and faculty and participated in various events during her January visit. Read more > |