The following message from Paul W. Grimm was sent to Bolch Judicial Institute board members following the announcement he would be stepping down as the David F. Levi Professor of the Practice of Law and Director of the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School in December 2025.
Dear Bolch Board Members:
I’m writing to share the news that I will be stepping down from my position as director of the Bolch Institute at the end of my term in December of this year, and Duke Law School is launching a national search for a new director. My decision to step down is not one I’ve come to lightly. I have been tremendously honored to serve in this role for the past two years and have deeply enjoyed working with all of you to advance the Bolch Judicial Institute’s critical mission to support and strengthen the rule of law. But my health and personal circumstances have changed such that I must now make some lifestyle changes.
I am so proud of all we’ve accomplished together in the past two years: The Bolch Judicial Institute is leading a global movement to support the judicial branch, to strengthen judicial independence, and to advance the rule of law at a time when democratic institutions face unprecedented challenges, both at home and abroad. Our programs — including the Defending the Judiciary Project, Judicature and Judicature International, the Master of Judicial Studies program, the McGovern Symposium on Civil Litigation, the Trauma Informed Courts Initiative, global judicial education initiatives, conferences connecting the academy and the legal profession, and much, much more — have expanded and strengthened, thanks in large part to your support. And thanks to a generous new challenge gift from RaceTrac, the Bolch Judicial Institute is poised to dramatically multiply its stature and impact in the coming years. I will continue to be involved as much possible far beyond the end of my term in December, and I very much look forward to supporting my successor and our wonderful network of donors and supporters as the Bolch Judicial Institute deepens its global leadership in upholding and advancing the rule-of-law principles that are so essential to the health and strength of our own country and to the flourishing of democracy worldwide.
Your leadership and engagement on these programs is more important than ever. Thank you for all you have done to support me, and all you will continue to do to support the Bolch Institute.
Kind regards,
Paul
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Paul Grimm
David F. Levi Professor of the Practice of Law and
Director, Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School
Senior U.S. District Judge (retired)