National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers

Valuing Truth ‘Fullness’: Lessons from Jury Trials

Public officials across the country took oaths of office during the opening weeks of 2025. Each swore or affirmed their commitment to faithfully execute their duties and to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. Can the citizens they serve rely on them to stay true to their oaths? Will their actions principally be guided by our Constitution and enacted laws? More and more Americans have lost faith that they will do so. But based on decades of experience as a trial judge, I believe jury trials are models for attaining higher levels of truthfulness by public servants and reliable outcomes in government.

ABA 2025 Survey of Civic Literacy

The American Bar Association’s annual Survey of Civic Literacy report assesses public knowledge of our nation’s laws and principles as well as public opinion of law-related current events. This year’s survey (2025) assessed public attitudes about the state of democracy and the rule of law.

Respecting the Judiciary: Let’s Be Positive and Take Action

The current political environment may be an exceptional chance to see our system of government in action and understand “separation of powers” and the role of the federal judiciary.

Mexico’s ruling party, Morena, has captured the judiciary

On the evening of June 1st, as polls closed, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum hailed the historic vote to elect the country’s judiciary as “a complete success.” There are few measures whereby that could be said to be true. Turnout was a paltry 13%. Of the ballots that were cast, more than 20% were spoiled or left blank. But in one way the election was certainly a triumph: it has consolidated the grip of Morena, Ms. Sheinbaum’s ruling party, over the third branch of government—and over Mexico as a whole.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2025 Gordon “Gordy” Griller Award for Excellence in Court Leadership

The Gordon “Gordy” Griller Award for Excellence in Court Leadership is given annually by the National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers to a person or persons who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and access to justice for all.

WEBINAR: Leadership and Negotiation: A Principled Way to Lead

Life’s decisions are awash in daily negotiations observe Harvard professors Roger Fisher and William Ury in their seminal book, Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. Like it or not, we are all negotiators: two lawyers try to settle a lawsuit; court leaders engage in budget discussions; a new discovery processes upsets some judges; or a court leader deals with a disgruntled staffer.

Mexico soon to be the only country that popularly elects all its judges

On June 1st Mexicans will vote to elect judges to 850 federal posts, nine Supreme Court seats, 22 powerful tribunal jobs and thousands of roles in lower courts. In 2027 a second vote will see the rest of Mexico’s judiciary filled. A few countries elect through popular vote a handful of judges, commonly to general and limited jurisdiction trial courts. Mexico will become the first country in the world where every judge on every court is chosen by popular vote.

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NAPCO 2026