Protecting the Judiciary – Bolch Judicial Institute

I am honored that the Bolch Judicial Institute’s Defending the Judiciary website has posted my blog Protecting the Judiciary – Analysis of Judicial Impeachment  as one of many resources on this important topic.

“The Bolch Judicial Institute is leading a national effort to mobilize the legal profession to defend judges and the judiciary from a growing wave of unjust and unsubstantiated attacks that threaten judicial independence and diminish public faith in our judicial system.”  Defending the Judiciary | Bolch Judicial Institute

Bolch has posted “a repository of statements, letters, guides, and other materials related to the Defending the Judiciary project.”  It states that:

These resources were developed by the Institute and peer organizations in support of defending judges and the judiciary. This non-exhaustive list is intended to serve as a reference point for organizations and individuals wishing to devise their own statements, letters, or other educational materials.

The Bolch site states:

Judges are ethically prohibited from speaking about the cases assigned to them, and therefore they cannot speak out in their own defense. But bar associations can do something — and in fact are ethically obligated to do so. Comment 3 to Rule 8.2 of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Responsibility states that “[t]o maintain the fair and independent administration of justice, lawyers are encouraged to continue traditional efforts to defend judges and courts unjustly criticized.”

Bloch has published a short guide on How to Respond to Attacks on Judges and Judiciary.  In part, it states:

What can lawyers and bar organizations do?

• Activate rapid response teams to counter misinformation and unfair attacks on judges
• Issue public statements supporting judicial independence when judges face threats and amplify similar statements from other organizations
• Promote ongoing civility and professional respect for judicial institutions in work with clients, colleagues, and the public
• Educate legal professionals on the impact of misinformation and the need for a strong, independent judiciary
• Participate in civics education programs in schools and community organizations to foster long-term public trust
• Organize and support public programs that allow judges to speak to community members
• Advocate for reforms in judicial selection to minimize political influence on courts

The Bolch publication lists many resources.

The Hon. Paul W. Grimm (ret.) has written:

• Why Impeachment Threats Against Judges Will Fail: Legal Insight (Bloomberg Mar. 6, 2025);
• Letter from Paul W. Grimm Regarding Threats and Attacks on Judges (Feb. 10, 2025); and,
• The Judiciary Is Under Attack. Lawyers Have a Duty to Defend It (Bloomberg Law Oct. 24, 2023).

I have written:

• Protecting the Judiciary – Again – E-Discovery LLC
• Protecting the Judiciary Against This Ill-Advised “Impeachathon” – E-Discovery LLC
• Protecting the Judiciary –  Article of Impeachment:  “It’s Déjà vu All Over Again”[1]
• Protecting the Judiciary From Another Dangerous, Fact-Free Impeachment Demand
• Protecting the Judiciary and the Rule of Law – Frivolous Articles to Impeach Federal Judge Filed
• Protecting the Judiciary and the Rule of Law
• Maryland’s Protection of the Judiciary – E-Discovery LLC (Apr. 10, 2024);
• American Bar Association Statement on Threats Against the Judiciary – E-Discovery LLC (Apr. 8, 2024);
• Maryland Bills to Protect Judges and Their Children – E-Discovery LLC (Feb. 23, 2024);
• I Hear Crickets From the American Bar Association About Threats Against Colorado Justices – E-Discovery LLC (Jan. 27, 2024);
• Judge Paul Grimm: The Judiciary is Under Attack.  Lawyers Need to Defend It – E-Discovery LLC (Oct. 24, 2023); and,
• Threats Against the Colorado Supreme Court Must Be Called Out – E-Discovery LLC (Dec. 23, 2023).

Judge Grimm wrote that “we must immediately stand up and defend: judges who are doing their job to the best of their ability in quickly evolving situations, and the ability of the courts to fulfill their role to interpret and apply the law without fear or favor.”

Norman Rockwell said:

I suddenly remembered how Jim Edgerton had stood up at town meeting and said something that everybody disagreed with. But they let him have his say. No one shouted him down. My gosh, I thought, that’s it. There it is. Freedom of Speech.

“The nation’s founders created the judiciary as an independent, co-equal branch of government to ensure it is protected from outside political influences….  Often, the judiciary is called on to uphold limitations on the government. The judiciary protects against abuses by the other branches of government. It protects minorities of all types from the majority and protects the right of people who cannot protect themselves.”  Independent Judiciary Resources