by Eric Surber | Apr 30, 2026 | Bolch Prize, Civil Dialogue, Latest News
On May 1, the United States celebrates Law Day, an annual occasion to reflect on the role of law in American life. The American Bar Association’s 2026 Law Day theme is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” The theme asks us to consider what the rule of law means...
by Mia Penner | Feb 3, 2026 | Civil Dialogue
In May 1787, delegates to the Constitutional Convention gathered inside the Philadelphia State House, windows shuttered and doors closed to the public. Just a few years after winning independence, the fledgling United States was already faltering under the Articles of...
by Alexandria Thomas | Dec 9, 2025 | Civil Dialogue
Most people don’t exactly enjoy watching the federal branches of government clash. When the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down an executive order, when the president vetoes a bill, or when Congress moves to impeach a federal officer, the conflict can feel tense and even...
by Aamna Aslam | Dec 1, 2025 | Civil Dialogue
Across the world, legal systems are shaped through history, culture and constitutional development. Despite this diversity, most modern systems fall within two main procedural traditions: the adversarial and the inquisitorial. These two models reflect different...
by Michelle Kaminsky, J.D. | Oct 21, 2025 | Civil Dialogue, Latest News
by Michelle Kaminsky At a time of heightened attention on the courts — and record-high threats against judges — the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School has launched a new initiative to improve understanding of the judiciary and promote civic engagement. Civics...
by Eric Surber | Oct 3, 2025 | Civil Dialogue, Latest News
In an essay for NYU’s Democracy Project, David F. Levi, a former federal judge and director emeritus of the Bolch Judicial Institute, reflects on his role mediating a dispute over the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant permit in New Mexico. Over four days, citizen groups,...