Real and lasting change in the #judiciary won’t happen overnight. It takes time, sustained effort, and bridge-building by tenacious advocates who’ve committed their life’s work to achieving concrete solutions. I launched The Legal Accountability Project almost 2 yrs ago to fill this void. In light of this NPR piece about widespread #ethics issues in the federal #judiciary, I’ve been reflecting on progress made, and what’s next to ensure safe work environments for clerks.
Of course, change is not as swift as I’d like. But LAP has made incredible progress over the past 2 years, sparking a clerkship #transparency movement. The launch of our Centralized Clerkships Database last month was an unprecedented step to increase #transparency, #equity - and yes, #accountability - in judicial #clerkships and the #judiciary. Clerkship advising and hiring - and the #courts - will never be the same.
Had LAP’s Database existed 10 years ago, perhaps prospective clerks could have avoided #clerkships with Judge Reinhardt, former Judge Kozinski, and a whole host of others. Or perhaps those judges would have been incentivized to change their behavior - or retire - knowing their conduct was on display for applicants and they could not hide behind the opacity, secrecy, and clerkship #whispernetwork.
Sadly, some students would have read nuanced or negative surveys about these judges and said “I can handle it” or “That won’t happen to me.” Which is why LAP’s #lawschool programming and thought leadership are so important - so students understand why they should not endure mistreatment for the perceived “prestige.”
*️⃣I encourage students to clerk. But it’s a qualified “yes.” They must be informed and discerning consumers of #clerkship info. Thanks to LAP, they finally can be.
*️⃣I also encourage mistreated clerks to report misconduct. It’s the only way to hold judges #accountable for mistreating you, and prevent them from mistreating others.
*️⃣*️⃣I have no regrets about filing a complaint and trying to hold the (fmr) judge who mistreated me #accountable; for speaking out about injustice in the #judiciary; or for dedicating my life’s work to improving the #clerkship system. My life is better for these setbacks and victories.
I hope people read this NPR piece and come away #empowered, understanding they CAN change the system, and they CAN advocate for concrete solutions, not disempowered or defeated because we haven't achieved 100% of our goals just yet.
The #judiciary will probably never apologize. But creating meaningful and lasting change in the #judiciary - despite pushback from some - is how we win. #clerkships #courts #judicialaccountability #transparency #empowerment
https://lnkd.in/eCtE9FtM
Legal Assistant at Weber Gallagher
1moCongratulations