Episode 4: Judge Marjorie Rendell

Judgment Calls is a podcast hosted by David F. Levi, director of the Bolch Judicial Institute, former dean of Duke Law School, and former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. In Judgment Calls, Levi interviews judges about their work, their lives, and the challenges and opportunities they see in the U.S. courts. So often judges in the United States work in solitude and behind chambers’ doors. By offering a view into the lives and work of judges, this podcast aims to increase public understanding of what judges do — and how and why they do it. In doing so, we hope this podcast contributes to a greater awareness of the value of judicial independence and advances the Bolch Judicial Institute’s mission of supporting and protecting the rule of law.

Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on GooglePlay

New episodes will post monthly. Please share your comments, ideas, and suggestions with us by emailing bolchjudicialinstitute@law.duke.edu. Thanks for listening!

Episode 4: Judge Marjorie Rendell

December 10, 2019 | Season 1, Episode 4 | 34:10

Featuring

Senior Judge Marjorie O. Rendell, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Highlights

Judge Marjorie Rendell talks with David F. Levi about the Rendell Center for Civics and Civic Education and its efforts to promote judicial independence, judicial accountability, and civic education.
As a former first lady of Pennsylvania, Judge Rendell shares some of the opportunities and challenges of serving as both a first lady and a federal judge.
Judge Rendell also reflects on her life as a judge, her views on the current state of the American judiciary, the importance of the rule of law, and challenges facing our judiciary, such as access to justice.

Episode 3: Judge Richard Gergel

December 1, 2019 | Season 1, Episode 3 | 32:59

Featuring

Judge Richard M. Gergel, U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina

Highlights

Judge Richard M. Gergel talks to David F. Levi about his recent book, Unexampled Courage: The Blinding of Sgt. Isaac Woodard and the Awakening of President Harry S. Truman and Judge J. Waties Waring.
Judge Gergel tells the story of Judge Waties Waring, who served as a U.S. District Judge for South Carolina during the Civil Rights Era. Judge Gergel explains how Sgt. Isaac Woodard's case helped transform Judge Waring's views on race, leading Judge Waring to write a powerful dissent in a school desegregation case that paved the way for Brown v. Board of Education.
Judge Gergel and David F. Levi also discuss a fascinating ex parte communication between Judge Waring and Thurgood Marshall.

Episode 2: Judge Jon O. Newman

November 20, 2019 | Season 1, Episode 2 | 39:59

Featuring

Senior Judge Jon O. Newman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

Highlights

Judge Jon O. Newman talks with David F. Levi about his life on the bench as recounted in his recent autobiography; the qualities that make for a good judge; and the differences between district and appellate judges and courtrooms.
Judge Newman shares his personal judicial decision-making process and lack of judicial philosophy, saying, "There isn't a framework from which you can have a fairly good prediction of what I'm going to do on close cases."
Judge Newman recounts stories of the people and experiences that have impacted his career, including two of his judicial heroes, Judge Learned Hand and Judge Henry J. Friendly.

Episode 1: Judge Jeffrey Sutton

November 10, 2019 | Season 1, Episode 1 | 49:22

Featuring

Judge Jeffrey Sutton, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

Highlights

Judge Jeffrey Sutton talks with David F. Levi about his book 51 Imperfect Solutions: States and the Making of American Constitutional Law and the role of state courts in protecting personal rights.
Judge Sutton shares his inspiration for writing the book (a specific appearance as a young lawyer before Justice Antonin Scalia at the Supreme Court) and legal innovations from the 50 state constitutions that have inspired him.
David F. Levi and Judge Sutton discuss several important cases that show the unique interaction between state and federal courts, including San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez, and how state courts have often done a better job than federal courts in protecting individual freedoms.