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winter | federation flyer
www.thefederation.org
Bombarded by legal
advertising that tout
the monies that some
have received by
retaining a lawyer, it
is difficult at times
to appreciate that
we are stewards of a noble and
dignified profession. Roman
Emperor Claudius first legalized
the practice of law and allowed
lawyers to charge a limited fee. In
1878, the American Bar Association
(ABA) was established to organize
a national code of ethics. Most of
us were raised in an era in which
the fictional character Atticus Finch
embodied the graceful solemnity
of what it means to be a lawyer.
Despite the admitted business
aspects of our profession, there
remains a solid core of dignity and
professionalism in the modern-day
practice of law and our American
legal system. The judiciary’s impact
upon our system of justice has
never been more important.
Twenty years ago, the National
Foundation for Judicial Excellence
(NFJE) was created by leaders of
the defense bar. It is a 501(c)(3)
organization with a stated mission
to:
Address important legal policy
issues affecting the law and
civil justice system by providing
meaningful support and
education to the judiciary, by
publishing scholarly works and
by engaging in other efforts to
continually enhance and ensure
judicial excellence and fairness
for all engaged in the judicial
process.
In July, 2024, the NFJE held its
Twentieth Judicial Symposium in
Washington DC. State appellate
judges and justices from across
the United States attended. The
presentations were superb. The
keynote speaker was Daniel Kiel,
Professor of Law, who discussed his
book, The Transition: Interpreting
Justice from Thurgood Marshall
to Clarence Thomas. Professor
Kiel lamented that changes in
the Court’s personnel seem to
have driven decisions more than
facts and law and examined this
particularly impactful judicial
transition.
An esteemed panel discussed
the amendments to Rule 702,
Amy L. Miletich
THE NATIONAL FOUNDATION
FOR JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE
20TH ANNUAL
JUDICIAL
SYMPOSIUM
By Amy L. Miletich
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