This summer took me from North Carolina to California and back again, with plenty of stops, conversations, and reflections along the way.
After spending the first half of 2026 setting up in a new home in Durham and settling into my new role as director of the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law, I drove cross-country back to Sacramento, where I worked remotely while taking care of my judicial papers and some personal business.
The trip gave me an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends along the way. I spent time with my niece and nephew and their families in Des Moines; returned to my birthplace of Newton, Kansas; visited my parents and cousins; and celebrated the Fourth of July with high school friends in Grinnell, Iowa. Each stop offered a glimpse into a different community and a reminder of the values and connections we share across boundaries.
The work woven in gave me a chance to make new connections as well as check in with old friends. Before heading West, I moderated discussions on judicial independence and the rule of law at the North Carolina Bar Association’s annual meeting and on public trust in the courts at the Arizona Judicial Conference. In July, I attended the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals’ annual judicial conference in Bellevue, Washington, to share updates on our work at the Bolch Judicial Institute and take in the excellent educational programming.
I also found time to enjoy the outdoors, including hiking with my dog in the Sierra near Tahoe City. I listened to Yuval Levin’s American Covenant and took donuts to share with former colleagues and coworkers at my old court. And I followed the World Cup, which prompted me to think about the parallels between referees and judges. Both are called upon to make difficult decisions, and confidence in the outcome depends on believing the rules are applied fairly and impartially. I have also been sharing more of my reflections on LinkedIn as I learn to navigate the social media space in a way that still feels a bit foreign to a former judge!
By summer’s end, I had driven across the country twice, spent meaningful time with family and friends, settled a bit more into my new home in North Carolina, and now have returned to Duke ready for the year ahead. It was a busy, productive, and memorable summer.
For more reflections on courts, the rule of law, and navigating life beyond the bench, follow Kim on LinkedIn.
