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FDCC UPDATES
National Foundation for
Judicial Excellence
Report on the Twenty-First Annual Judicial Symposium
by Steve Plunkett
The National
Foundation for
Judicial Excellence
(NFJE) hosted its
annual symposium
for appellate judges
Steve Plunkett
in Chicago on July
11–12, 2025, to great reviews.
Some of the comments from
the 130-plus attendees include:
“Excellent Symposium. Articulate,
knowledgeable speakers and a wide
variety of viewpoints on timely
topics”; and “This was an excellent
program—very informative and
thought-provoking.” Thanks to the
contributions of the FDCC and
its members, NFJE is able to be a
thought leader for the appellate
judges who craft the common
law in their states or circuits.
The symposium is part of NFJE’s
mission to address important legal
policy issues that affect law and the
civil justice system by providing
meaningful, timely education for
the appellate judiciary to enhance
judicial excellence and fairness for
all engaged in the judicial process.
The 2025 Symposium’s theme was
Supporting Judicial Independence:
A Call to Action. The symposium
kicked off with Sixth Circuit
Court of Appeals Judge Raymond
Kethledge’s visionary presentation
on how appellate judges can use
values like solitude to strengthen
themselves individually and
as leaders of the bench. Other
presentations focused on
responding to the attacks on
judicial independence—which
Chief Justice Roberts highlighted
in the Supreme Court’s 2024
Year-End Report. The presenters
addressed this pressing concern
and explored practical strategies to
safeguard judicial independence
and to enhance confidence in
the judiciary. Throughout the
presentations, judges, academic
thought leaders, and civil-defense
attorneys discussed ways courts
can increase connection with and
outreach to their communities.
The judges frequently commented
that the Symposium provided
differing viewpoints and
unique perspectives, with one
commenting, “I heard great things
about the Symposium from my
colleagues. They were right. The
Symposium was excellent and I
plan to attend next year.”
NFJE believes that judges are more
likely to reach the correct decision
if they are knowledgeable about
current legal issues before having
to adjudicate an appeal involving
those issues. NFJE is the only
organization of its kind providing
judicial education, which is
developed by civil-defense lawyers.
In the end, NFJE is a critical force in
promoting an educated, balanced
point of view by the judiciary. NFJE
invites appellate judges from all
50 states to the Symposium as its
guests. NFJE relies on the generosity
of donors to support its activities,
including the Symposium. To learn
more about NFJE and the annual
Symposium, please visit its website:
www.nfje.net.
Steve Plunkett is a Shareholder in
BASSFORD REMELE in Minneapolis, MN.
www.thefederation.org
February 2026 | federation flyer
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