Bolch Judicial Institute

09/02/2026

How can trauma-informed practices shape the way courts serve the people who come before them?

Bolch Judicial Institute Assistant Director Amelia Thorn spoke with Duke Law News about new research examining how judges are putting trauma-informed approaches into practice — and the role judges can play in shaping the broader courthouse environment.

🔗 Read the full story from Duke Law School: https://loom.ly/ko2tzOw

08/28/2026

Calling emerging legal scholars: Judicature is now accepting submissions for its 2026 Emerging Scholars Writing Competition!

The competition is open to members of the classes of 2023–2028 from any U.S. law school. The winning author will receive a $1,000 prize, and the winning entry may be published in Judicature.

Deadline: December 31, 2026

Help us spread the word! If you work at a law school, law library, courthouse, or other organization with a place to display the competition poster, we’d be grateful if you would print and post a copy. And, of course, please share this opportunity with anyone who may be interested!

Learn more about the competition, eligibility, and rules: https://judicature.duke.edu/about/writing-competition-emerging-scholars/

Download a printable PDF here:https://judicature.duke.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/08/2026-Emerging-Scholars-Writing-Competition-Judicature.pdf

08/27/2026

A new edition of Judicature International looks back at four selections from our archive exploring courts, judicial independence, civic education, and constitutional democracy around the world — and how these issues shape public confidence, the rule of law, and the work of judges across different legal systems.

Inside the August 2026 Edition:

• Judiciaries Worldwide, a Federal Judicial Center resource designed to support comparative learning about judicial systems, court practices, procedure, and international institutions.

• Justice Oagile Bethuel Key Dingake examines the relationship between judicial selection and judicial independence, with perspectives from Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa, and Kenya.

• U.S. District Judges Robin L. Rosenberg and Beth Bloom discuss a civic education program that brings students into courthouses to learn about the justice system and engage in conversations about civility.

• An essay on how constitutional design can help institutions withstand political pressure and support durable democracy.

• The August 2026 roundup of global judicial news.

Read the new edition:
https://createsend.com/t/t-3554B3C9211BF1912540EF23F30FEDED

Subscribe to receive future editions:
https://confirmsubscription.com/h/t/5513A5E99304F98E

As we continue to welcome new readers each month, we wanted to take a moment to reintroduce the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School, which publishes Judicature International, and to share more about the priorities that shape our work.

08/26/2026

Over the past two weeks, the Bolch Judicial Institute brought Civics Break to the Wake Forest Community Library for two evenings of nonpartisan conversation about courts, judges, and the rule of law.

The first session, led by Eric Surber, communications manager of the Bolch Judicial Institute, explored the foundations of our system of government, the role of state and federal courts, and how judges and courts affect our everyday lives. The following week, we returned to host a community conversation and Q&A with Wake County District Court Judge Rashad A. Hauter.

The Wake Forest Community Library staff provided a warm and welcoming setting for both programs, even pulling together a selection of books on courts, government, and civic life for participants to explore. Attendees came ready to engage — asking thoughtful questions and contributing to lively discussions about how courts work and the role they play in our communities.

Thank you to Judge Hauter, the library staff, Wake County Public Libraries, and everyone who joined us!

We think libraries are a great place for Civics Break. If your library or community organization is interested in hosting a program, we’d love to hear from you. DM us to learn more.

08/19/2026

It’s exciting to see so many new faces on campus! Whether you’re new or returning to Duke University, we invite you to get to know the Institute.

Throughout the year, the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School offers opportunities to attend events with leaders in the judiciary, explore new scholarship and issues of Judicature, and engage with our work to study, strengthen, and uplift the judiciary.

Learn more and connect with us at judicialstudies.duke.edu/welcome/.

08/13/2026

The Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School has received a $5 million grant from The Duke Endowment.

This new support will strengthen the Master of Judicial Studies program, expand judicial education programming to address emerging issues such as the impact of artificial intelligence on litigation and court administration, support new research and collaboration with judges and judicial institutions, and broaden teaching and civic education initiatives about the courts and the judicial branch.

Read the full announcement: https://judicialstudies.duke.edu/2026/08/bolch-judicial-institute-5-million-duke-endowment-award/

The Bolch Judicial Institute has received a $5 million award from The Duke Endowment to expand judicial education, research, and civic education.

08/11/2026

We’re hiring! Join the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law.

The Bolch Judicial Institute is seeking talented professionals to join our team and support our work strengthening the judiciary, advancing public understanding of the courts, and promoting the rule of law.

We are currently hiring for two full-time, on-site positions:

🔹 Public Education Program Director — Lead initiatives in civic education, public engagement, programming, research, and partnerships that deepen understanding of courts and the rule of law.

🔹 Staff Assistant — Provide administrative and operational support across the Institute’s programs, publications, communications, and leadership activities.

Know someone who might be a great fit? Please share this opportunity with your network.

Learn more and apply: judicialstudies.duke.edu/careers

08/07/2026

Threats against judges raise serious concerns for judicial security and the administration of justice, as outlined in a recent Washington Post article. In the article, U.S. District Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island describes the credible threats he has received and discusses the broader implications of intimidation directed at federal judges.

The article is available to read for free through this link (a Washington Post login is still required): https://loom.ly/gXUY8WU

You can also watch Judge McConnell discuss the issue in a recent CNN interview here: https://loom.ly/UDgTXBs

U.S. District Judge John McConnell’s experience is emblematic of the climate facing jurists, whether nominated by Democratic or Republican presidents.

07/29/2026

We’re hiring! The Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law is seeking a Staff Assistant to provide administrative and operational support for the Institute’s programs, publications, communications, and leadership activities.

We’re looking for a highly organized, service-oriented professional who enjoys working collaboratively and supporting work that strengthens the judiciary and advances the rule of law.

Learn more and apply:
https://loom.ly/SiWqoVI

07/24/2026

A new edition of Judicature International arrives just in time for the International Day of Judicial Well-Being, marked annually on July 25. (For many of our readers, the day has already begun.)

Inside:

• Carly Schrever examines how stress, satisfaction, and professional identity can change across different stages of a judicial career, drawing on interviews with 59 Australian judges and magistrates.

• A new research brief highlights findings from a national study of Canada’s federally appointed judges, including the effects of workload, safety concerns, court resources, and self-represented litigation on judicial well-being.

• The July 2026 roundup of global judicial news.

Read the new edition:
🔗 https://bolchjudicialinstitute.createsend1.com/t/t-e-wuykyjk-l-jk/

Subscribe to receive future editions:
🔗 https://confirmsubscription.com/h/t/5513A5E99304F98E