Judge Don Willett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has been named chair of Judicature’s editorial board for the 2020–21 editorial term. A 2016 graduate of Duke Law’s Master of Judicial Studies program, Willett served as editor in chief of Judicature’s Spring 2017 edition.
Willett succeeds David Ichel, who served as the board’s inaugural chair. In addition to establishing Judicature’s editorial board, Ichel has been a strong advocate for the journal. Last year he helped to engage nearly 45 law firms in providing the funds needed to expand Judicature’s distribution among state court judges. Ichel will continue to serve as a member of the editorial board for the coming term.
Nathan Hecht, chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, and Patricia Timmons-Goodson, former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, are stepping down from the board after completing their one-year terms. Robert Brutinel, chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, and Judge Bernice Donald of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit (both 2018 graduates of Duke’s Master of Judicial Studies program) will join the board for the 2020–21 term.
All other members of the 2019–20 editorial board (listed on page 3) have generously agreed to serve a second term.
David F. Levi, director of the Bolch Judicial Institute and Judicature’s publisher, thanked incoming and outgoing board members for their service. “We are fortunate to be able to call on the expertise and guidance of such distinguished judges, scholars, and lawyers as we work to ensure that Judicature continues to be a vital forum for exploring the many challenges facing our judiciary and legal system.”