Bolch Judicial Institute

Immigration courts hold a distinctive place in the U.S. legal system, operating within the Department of Justice.

In a new Judicature International interview, former U.S. immigration judge George Pappas reflects on what that structure means in practice — and how recent policy changes are affecting the day-to-day operation of immigration courts.

In conversation with New Zealand Court of Appeal Justice David Collins, chair of Judicature International’s editorial board, Pappas discusses his experience as a judge, the immigration court system, and the broader questions its structure raises for judicial independence.

Read the full interview in Judicature International: https://loom.ly/k1kd7nY

Courts across the country are grappling with the simple reality that trauma shapes how people experience the justice system. To help address that challenge, the Bolch Judicial Institute has launched a full suite of free educational materials on trauma-informed courts.

Led by Amelia Ashton Thorn, assistant director of the Bolch Judicial Institute and a Duke Law School alumna, this project turns research into practical tools for judges and others who work in the courts. The materials include videos showing effective courtroom techniques, guides judges can use in their own courtrooms, ideas for improving courtroom spaces, and illustrated findings from a study of more than 200 court hearings.

“We encourage judges to view themselves as community connectors — leaders with the resources and authority to change lives for the better,” said Thorn. “This collection is meant to help support that work in practical ways. Judging can be demanding, and we hope these materials both ease that burden and inspire judges to experiment with new, evidence-based approaches to improving the courtroom experience.”

Read more: https://loom.ly/dVuolC8
Explore the resources: https://duke.is/court-resources

In 1944, more than a million people gathered in New York City’s Central Park for “I Am an American Day,” where Judge Learned Hand delivered what became known as his “Spirit of Liberty” speech.

Writing in Judicature, Chief Judge D. Brooks Smith revisits Hand’s enduring message: that liberty depends not only on laws and institutions, but also on humility, mutual understanding, and a willingness to weigh the interests of others alongside our own.

“Hand, were he with us now, would be witnessing not simply factionalism but ‘tribalism,’” Smith writes. “And Hand was calling upon his fellow Americans for something more than simple tolerance.”

Read “Learned Hand’s Spirit of Liberty: A Lesson for Our Times” in Judicature (from 2021):
https://loom.ly/-Cf6eVs

In recognition of Law Day, the Bolch Judicial Institute is sharing a collection of short video reflections from the 2026 Bolch Prize honoring David F. Levi.

The clips feature judges, legal leaders, and civic voices reflecting on the rule of law, judicial independence, public trust, civility, and the role of courts in American democracy.

As this year’s American Bar Association Law Day theme invites reflection on “The Rule of Law and the American Dream,” these excerpts offer timely perspectives on why courts, civic trust, and principled leadership matter.

Watch the video shorts:
https://loom.ly/pJwNAq8

The 2026 Bolch Prize for the Rule of Law ceremony honoring David F. Levi is now available to watch on YouTube, along with the Duke Law lunch program “Civility and the Courts.”

Both programs explore judicial independence, public trust, civility, and the rule of law in today’s civic climate.

▶️ Find links to watch both programs here:
https://loom.ly/RSvWr4o

📩 Subscribe for future Bolch Judicial Institute updates: https://loom.ly/34xrKB8

As generative AI continues to reshape the legal profession, courts are also beginning to explore what these tools can — and cannot — do.

In an article for Judicature, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez, a 2023 graduate of Duke Law School’s Master of Judicial Studies program, examines how generative AI may help judges manage complex, document-intensive cases by locating key materials, summarizing testimony, reviewing submissions, and supporting court efficiency — while also underscoring the importance of judicial oversight, accuracy, and sound judgment.

The takeaway: AI may become a valuable tool in chambers, but it is no substitute for careful legal analysis or judicial decision-making. As Judge Rodriguez writes, “there’s no substitute for good judgment.”

Read the full article: https://loom.ly/WcdCFcE

Excited to share photos from Tuesday night’s Paths to the Bench event featuring retired Judge David S. Tatel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

In conversation with Bolch Judicial Institute Director Kim Mueller, Judge Tatel reflected on his memoir, 'Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice,' as well as his life in the law, his experience with blindness, and the importance of collegiality and dialogue across disagreement—both in law school and in the courts.

In response to a student question about how to navigate disagreement, Judge Tatel offered a simple but powerful piece of advice: “First, don’t say a word. Just listen.”

The evening also featured a special guest: Vixen, Judge Tatel’s guide dog, who—while off duty—made several new friends. Grateful to everyone who traveled from near and far to join us for this event!

Photos by 📷 Eric Surber

🚨⚖️🎉 BIG WEEK AT DUKE LAW 🎉⚖️🚨

This week, the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School will honor David F. Levi, Duke Law School Dean Emeritus and founding director of the Institute, as the recipient of the 2026 Bolch Prize for the Rule of Law.

On Wednesday, April 15, at 12:30 PM in Law School Room 3041, Levi will join Judges Thomas B. Griffith, David S. Tatel, and J. Michelle Childs for the 2026 “Bolch Prize Lunch Program: Civility in the Courts,” a conversation on the importance of civility and collegiality in the judiciary. The event is open to the entire Duke University community, and lunch will be served!

See the Law School events calendar for details: https://loom.ly/ptg6eO8

The Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School was honored to host the 2026 McGovern Symposium on Civil Litigation. This year’s symposium explored the early implementation of Rule 16.1, the use of bankruptcy in mass litigation, and the evolving role of bellwether proceedings.

As our director, Kim Mueller, noted, the symposium brought together “a top-notch group of judges, lawyers, and scholars” to engage some of the most pressing issues in MDL practice.

We’re grateful to this year’s sponsors for helping make the symposium possible: David Bernick, Chris Seeger of Seeger Weiss, Vaughn R. Walker, and Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. We also extend special thanks to David Bernick for sponsoring the 2026 McGovern Memorial dinner prior to the symposium.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the family of Prof. Francis McGovern — including his wife, Katy, and daughter, Laura — whose presence made this year’s symposium an especially meaningful tribute to Francis’s legacy.

https://loom.ly/CwxuQYw

Bolch Judicial Institute Hosts 2026 McGovern Symposium The Bolch Judicial Institute hosted the 2026 McGovern Symposium, bringing judges, scholars, and practitioners together to discuss civil litigation.