A lot has changed since the summer of 2015. At that time, I was in the second session of the Master of Judicial Studies LLM program at Duke School of Law, and my class had been given the responsibility of serving as editors of Judicature — previously a publication of the American Judicature Society, which was ceasing operations and had agreed to allow Duke to take over the journal. So began the remarkable next phase of what was once the society’s newsletter and is now a beloved modern journal focused on judging, judicial administration, the rule of law, and judicial independence, here in the United States and internationally. Each issue of Judicature is now available in print and online; our readers include judges, lawyers, scholars, and students, as well as members of the general public seeking reliable, engaging, and thoughtful discussion of what judges do, how courts function, and the essential role courts and judges play in preserving the rule of law.
In that same short time, my role has changed from that of an active judge and part-time LLM student editor to that of a retired judge and publisher of this dynamic legal journal. My path has become intertwined with Judicature’s once again. This journal’s success is directly attributable to the remarkable vision of my predecessor, David F. Levi, the talent of its contributing authors, and the dedication of an exceptional staff — including managing editor Melinda Vaughn, articles editor Amelia Thorn, and dozens of Duke Law students who have served as student editors. I assume the role of publisher with deep thanks for the skill, expertise, and creativity that go into Judicature’s production and with great pride in the service this journal provides to the judiciary and the legal profession. It is an honor and a thrill to be part of it.
This edition features an array of thoughtful articles about improving case management, innovations in conducting jury trials, the pros and cons of plea bargains, sources of judicial stress, the use of pseudonyms in judicial decisions, John Marshall and the origins of the now-ubiquitous judicial black robes, the intersections of faith and law and judging, and more. I hope you find that this edition continues to offer what so many of us have come to depend on from Judicature — useful, relevant, timely content that engages and inspires.
Paul W. Grimm
David F. Levi Professor of the Practice of Law and Director, Bolch Judicial Institute
