Registration Will Open Soon
Friday, July 11, 2025
1:30 pm – Speed Clerkship Interviewing
5:00 pm – Keynote Speaker: Raymond Kethledge – “How Leaders Use Solitude to Enhance Clarity & Spur Creativity”
6:00 pm – Welcome Reception
Saturday, July 12, 2025
7:45 am – Continental Breakfast
8:45 am – Program – Legal Writing, Judicial Security, U.S. Supreme Court Update, NFJE Ted Talk, and much more!
4:45 pm – Program Ends
5:00 pm – Reception
Please note: Registration for the Symposium is for State Supreme Court and Appellate Judges only.
When
July 11-12, 2025
Where
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile
505 North Michigan Avenue
Speakers and topics for the NFJE Symposium include:
The judiciary is a pillar of democracy, ensuring that the rule of law prevails and that justice is administered fairly and impartially. However, as highlighted in the Supreme Court’s 2024 Year-End Report, judicial independence is under increasing attack. Threats against judges have tripled over the past decade, with rising incidents of violence, intimidation, and disinformation campaigns designed to erode public confidence in our courts. These challenges not only endanger individual judges but also threaten the stability and integrity of the legal system as a whole. Now more than ever, the legal community must come together to reinforce the judiciary’s critical role in upholding constitutional rights and the rule of law. As Chief Justice John Roberts emphasized, an independent judiciary is not a privilege for judges but a fundamental necessity for a functioning democracy.
This symposium aims to address these pressing concerns and explore practical strategies to safeguard judicial independence and enhance confidence in the judiciary. Throughout the sessions, judges, academic thought leaders, and civil attorneys will discuss ways courts can increase connection and outreach to their communities, the growing risks facing our courts and the measures available to counteract them. Topics will include enhancing judicial security, countering misinformation, community outreach and connection, and strengthening legal frameworks to protect judges from undue influence.
Through the symposium, we hope to foster interactive dialogue and actionable solutions to support the judiciary against threats that may compromise its essential function. The symposium is structured to engage the attendees in this critical conversation and contribute to the collective effort to protect one of the most vital institutions in our democratic society. Together, we can work to ensure that our courts remain impartial, resilient, and committed to upholding the principles of justice.
Hotel Information
InterContinental Chicago Magnifcent Mile
505 North Michigan Avenue
Group Rate Cutoff: Thursday, June 19, 2025
Link soon to come to reserve your room or call 877-424-2449 (identify yourself as a NFJE attendee)
You will be asked to provide your credit card when making an online reservation; however, no deposit is taken. Up to two night’s room and tax will be direct-billed to NFJE.