Recent News and Updates

PICTURED ABOVE: Director Paul W. Grimm and Presiding Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren (Duke Law ’08) of the Supreme Court of Georgia engaged in a wide-ranging conversation on the vital role of state courts in upholding the rule of law on Sept. 30, 2025. The evening opened with remarks from Susan Bass Bolch, co-founder of the Bolch Judicial Institute, who emphasized that “an independent and fair judiciary is critical to maintaining the rule of law,” noting the Institute’s mission to support both judicial and civic education.

From Director Paul W. Grimm

Dear Friends,

As I reflect on this past year, I am filled with gratitude for your support of our programs, projects, and publications and for your steadfast commitment to the rule of law. Your engagement continues to propel the Bolch Judicial Institute forward in profound and meaningful ways, especially at a time when strengthening and defending our courts has never been more essential.

This newsletter highlights a remarkably active and impactful period for the Institute. Over the past several months, we launched major initiatives — including our new Civics Break public-education program and the Star Rule of Law Series — and hosted national and international convenings on judicial independence, institutional resilience, and the health of our democracy. We advanced new scholarship, expanded our research on trauma-informed court practices, celebrated Judicature’s first decade at Duke, and welcomed generous philanthropic support to sustain and grow our mission in the years ahead. Each of these efforts reflects what is possible when judges, scholars, lawyers, policymakers, and engaged citizens come together to support the judiciary.

As you know, the Institute is preparing to enter a new chapter. My time as director is coming to an end, but in early 2026, a new chapter begins. We will welcome my friend and colleague Judge Kimberly J. Mueller as the next director, and I could not be more excited and optimistic about what the future holds. Our mission is critically important, our community is growing, and our work is gaining national momentum. Under Judge Mueller’s leadership, I am confident the Institute will pursue new opportunities, deepen its impact, and continue its vital service to the judiciary.

For me, this is not a time of farewell but simply a shift in how I will contribute, and I look forward to supporting the Institute’s continued success in the years ahead. On behalf of all of us at the Bolch Judicial Institute, I wish you a happy holiday season and a joyful new year filled with gratitude and hope.

Best wishes,

Paul W. Grimm
David F. Levi Professor of the Practice of Law and
Director, Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School
Senior U.S. District Judge (retired)

Judge Kimberly J. Mueller named next director of the Bolch Judicial Institute

Senior U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller of the Eastern District of California was named the next David F. Levi Professor of the Practice of Law and Director of the Bolch Judicial Institute, effective Jan. 5, 2026. A 2025 graduate of Duke Law’s Judicial Studies LLM program, she brings decades of judicial experience and a distinguished record in evidence, civil procedure, and judicial administration.

Bob Bauer and Jack Goldsmith Receive 2025 Raphael Lemkin Rule of Law Guardian Medal

Professors Bob Bauer (NYU Law) and Jack Goldsmith (Harvard Law) received the 2025 Raphael Lemkin Rule of Law Guardian Medal in recognition of their bipartisan work to study and propose reforms to the U.S. presidency and other core democratic institutions. Dean Kerry Abrams moderated a conversation with the recipients at an event hosted at Duke Law School in October.

Judicature Marks a Decade at Duke with Conversations on Current Challenges Facing Judiciary

In May, Judicature began a year-long celebration of its first decade of publication at Duke University with conversations on current challenges facing the judiciary, featuring Bob Bauer, Jack Goldsmith, Judge Lee Rosenthal, Judge Diane Wood, and moderator David F. Levi. Excerpts of these timely discussions were published in Vol. 109 No. 1. We invite you to learn more about the "Decade at Duke" campaign by visiting judicature.duke.edu/annual-campaign.

Bolch Judicial Institute Launches Nonpartisan Civics Education Program

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. Following a successful pilot phase that reached nearly 2,000 participants nationwide, the Institute is now making Civics Break freely available online for viewers, community groups, businesses, and educators.

Stanley and Elizabeth Star Rule of Law Fund Established; Institute Launches Star Rule of Law Series

Donors to the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School have established the Stanley A. Star ’61 and Elizabeth A. Star Rule of Law Fund, a new $1 million endowment that will support the Institute’s mission to protect and advance the rule of law and judicial independence in the United States and abroad. Funded by this new endowment, the Bolch Judicial Institute launched its Star Rule of Law Series on Constitution Day 2025 with a program examining the origins of judicial independence and the judiciary’s role in democracy, as well as emerging threats to the rule of law.

David and Jan Ichel Establish New Endowment for Judicature

David and Jan Ichel have established the David & Jan Ichel Judicature Endowment at the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School. Their generous gift will provide essential support for Judicature, the Institute’s flagship publication, and will further the Institute’s mission to promote rule-of-law principles and judicial independence.

Seeger Weiss Establishes Daniel Anderl Memorial Fund at Duke Law

A generous gift from Seeger Weiss LLP has established The Seeger Weiss/Daniel Anderl Memorial Fund at the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law. The endowed fund will support the Institute’s mission to protect and advance the rule of law within the United States and abroad as well as to defend the judiciary from unjust and unsubstantiated attacks, which threaten judicial independence and diminish public faith in our judicial system.

Oral History Project on Judge Gerald B. Tjoflat Reveals Insights from a Historic Career

The Bolch Judicial Institute has released an oral history project documenting the life and career of Judge Gerald B. Tjoflat, one of the nation’s longest-serving federal appellate judges. Conducted over dozens of interviews, the project offers rare firsthand perspectives on key cases, jurisprudence, and moments in the Eleventh Circuit’s history.

Jurists and Lawyers Gather in Santa Fe for First Principles Retreat

The Bolch Judicial Institute convened leading jurists, lawyers, and scholars in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a multi-day retreat examining the first principles underpinning the rule of law. Participants engaged in discussions about judicial legitimacy, constitutional structure, and strategies to strengthen democratic institutions.

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