The National Judicial College

This is a great opportunity for Tribal judges...

This upcoming course by The National Judicial College offers an invaluable opportunity for professional development and collaboration among Tribal Judges.

Key Details:
Course: Advanced Tribal Bench Skills
Location: Hollywood, Florida
Dates: February 22–26, 2026
Registration Link: https://www.judges.org/courses/advanced-tribal-bench-skills-competence-confidence-and-control-3/

The National Judicial College joins in national statement defending judicial independence

Joint Statement from Judicial Organizations in Support of the Independence of the Judiciary

We, the undersigned judicial organizations, stand united in full support of Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr.’s recent reaffirmation of a foundational principle of our democracy: judges must be free to decide cases according to the law and the Constitution, without fear of political reprisal or threats of impeachment. This fundamental tenet, as Alexander Hamilton wrote in Federalist Paper No. 78, and in other founding documents, has underpinned our democratic system for nearly 250 years.

Efforts to intimidate judges or subject them to removal for rendering decisions—whether popular or not—undermine the integrity of the judiciary and the rule of law. The independence of the judiciary is not a partisan value; it is a constitutional imperative of justice. Our democracy depends on a system of checks and balances, with each branch of government playing an essential role.

Threats and acts of violence directed at judges and their families are unacceptable. No judge should fear for their safety because they are doing their job. Such threats strike not only at individuals but against the rule of law itself.

We endorse and adopt the Chief Justice’s statement and urge all public officials to uphold the separation of powers, defend the independence of our courts, and ensure that judges can fulfill their duties without fear, coercion, or harm.

Appellate Judges Education Institute (AJEI)

Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals (ACAN)

Berkeley Judicial Institute (BJI)

Federal Judges Association (FJA)

Federal Magistrate Judges Association (FMJA)

Hispanic National Bar Association Judicial Division

International Association of LGBTQ+ Judges International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ)

National Asian Pacific American Judicial Council (NAPAJC)

National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers (NAPCO)

National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ)

National Consortium on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts (NCREFC)

Paul Grimm, U.S. District Judge (Ret.), Professor of the Practice of Law and Director, Bolch Judicial Institute, Duke Law School

The National Judicial College (NJC)

Read our news release here:

The National Judicial College Founded in 1963, The National Judicial College is the nation’s leading provider of judicial education. Our mission remains as relevant as ever.

Enjoying day two of our AI collab course with Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. A beautiful campus and excellent program.

Today's the day!

Black Friday
Cyber Monday

Now it's time to give - is now!
judges.org/donate

Black Friday
Cyber Monday

Now it's time to give - is now!
judges.org/donate

Check out Coach Dreyer's update on the UNDEFEATED Gaveliers' football team, including the latest on our TV deal.

https://www.judges.org/news.../gaveliers-football-update/

You can also submit questions for the coach right here. And don't forget about ordering Gaveliers fan gear for holiday gift at at https://shop.judges.org/collections/gaveliers

Benes Aldana

The NJC truly has international reach. Over the years, more than 5,000 judges and court officers from 150 countries have studied with the NJC. In 2023, we welcomed judges from 13 countries to study side-by-side with their American counterparts. Last week, NJC President Benes Aldana is in Mongolia signing an MoU with its judiciary and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the country’s Administrative Courts. We look forward to working with and learning from our new friends!

The NJC is increasing its footprint in environmental law by expanding its curriculum and creating the Judicial Consortium on Water and the Environment.
“The NJC has always focused on bringing innovative and forward-thinking learning opportunities to judges,” Judge Benes Aldana (Ret.), president of The National Judicial College, said. “While our Dividing the Waters affiliate has a long history with judges adjudicating complex water rights conflicts, water quality and other environmental cases now impact communities across the nation. Experts predict more environmental and water cases, across many jurisdictions.”
Read more:

The National Judicial College Founded in 1963, The National Judicial College is the nation’s leading provider of judicial education. Our mission remains as relevant as ever.

Thank you, TAT! Your staff was amazing!

"The well-being of judges…is absolutely essential to the well-being of everyone that accesses the court."

Law360 reported yesterday that workload, trauma, and isolation are impacting the well-being of many judges - https://tinyurl.com/judgewellbeing

Our Mindfulness for Judges course was quoted several times in the article as a great way to help judges manage stress and improve well-being. We would love to see you at a course this fall... https://www.judges.org/courses/mindfulness-for-judges-2/

Workload, Trauma, Isolation Impacting Judges' Mental Health - Law360 Pulse Overwhelming caseloads, the secondary trauma from certain types of cases and a lack of peer support are the biggest stressors judges say they're facing, with many of them experiencing difficulty concentrating, remaining unbiased and treating litigants and lawyers with respect as a result.

Famed former SCOTUS beat reporter Linda Greenhouse gave today’s annual Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lecture, focusing on RBG’s approach to the religion and the Establishment Clause. Greenhouse highlighted several of RBG’s notorious dissents in the area.

Thank you, SJI!
Benes Aldana

Last week, members of the SJI Board, Executive Director, Jonathan Mattiello, and Senior Program Advisor, Michelle White, visited the The National Judicial College (NJC) in Reno, Nevada on April 9th, 2024. Pictured with President & CEO Hon. Benes Aldana (Ret.), Chief Academic Officer, Joy Lyngar, and Chief of Staff, Chrystn Eads.