Rodel Judicial Fellowship

A unique forum for leading federal judges and state supreme court justices to discuss democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law.

Rodel Judicial Fellowship

Strengthening America’s democracy cannot occur without a concerted focus on all three branches of government. A strong and independent judiciary forms the bedrock of American democracy. While fundamental, its continued existence (and that of our democratic system itself) cannot be assumed. The politicized judicial selection process, vocal jurisprudential disagreements in high profile cases, and acrimonious third-party rhetoric have created the appearance of a more fractured, more political, and less collegial judiciary.

The Rodel Judicial Fellowship is designed to reverse these trends. The goals of the Rodel Judicial Fellowship are simple but profound. We strive to give our Judicial Fellows:

  • New perspectives on the role of the judiciary in our democracy;
  • An opportunity to discuss and reflect upon our jurisprudential heritage;
  • Close personal connections with jurists of diverse backgrounds and beliefs; and
  • An immersion in comparative and international perspectives on judging and the rule of law.

The seminars combine reading-based discussions led by distinguished lawyers and law professors with workshops focused on leadership and the challenges of judicial work. Rodel Judicial Fellows read classical legal texts on American democracy from varying perspectives. The discussions are candid and confidential, allowing participants to fully examine their own ideas and explore those of their colleagues.

For more information, please contact Jeff King.

Majestic Maroon Bells peaks and Maroon Lake on a sunny day and blue sky in summer near Aspen, Colorado

OUR FELLOWs

Class of 2023

David Barron

Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit

Ben Beaton

Judge, United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

Richard Bernstein

Justice, Michigan Supreme Court

André Birotte, Jr.

Judge, United States District Court for the Central District of California

Richard Boulware

Judge, United States District Court for the District of Nevada

Ada Brown

Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Bert Jordan

Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit

Rachel Kovner

Judge, United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Mike Liburdi

Judge, United States District Court for the District of Arizona

Maite Oronoz-Rodríguez

Chief Justice, Puerto Rico Supreme Court

Jonathan Papik

Justice, Nebraska Supreme Court

Paige Petersen

Justice, Utah Supreme Court

Mary Scriven

Judge, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Debra Stephens

Justice, Washington Supreme Court

Jeffrey Sutton

Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit

Tim Tymkovich

Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit

Sarah Hawkins Warren

Associate Justice, Georgia Supreme Court

Latest News

Liberalism and Its Discontents by Francis Fukuyama Wins Inaugural Edwards Book Award

The Rodel Institute is pleased to announce that Francis Fukuyama’s book Liberalism and Its Discontents has won the inaugural Edwards Book A...

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Edwards Book Award Shortlist Announced

The Rodel Institute is pleased to announce the shortlist finalists for its inaugural Edwards Book Award. The Edwards Book Award is an annual prize re...

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Rodel Receives Rockefeller Brothers Fund Grant

The Rodel Institute is pleased to announce that it has received a grant from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) to support its new Federal Executive ...

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