Judicial Fellowship Program
Overview
The Judicial Fellowship Program, presented in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is a professional exchange and residential learning experience for international judges and magistrates who are passionate about strengthening legal systems in their countries.
Program Highlights
The Judicial Fellowship Program is designed to strengthen the legal systems in foreign countries by building a network of judicial leaders from around the world.
Working with the National Center for State Courts and our academic partners at the University of Virginia, we present a comprehensive and immersive program that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills to foster critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and a deep understanding of the rule of law.
Teaching methods emphasize interactive exercises, case studies, simulations, and experiential learning.
Washington
The Program opens in Washington, DC, with an exploration of the United States’ federal system of national and subnational courts and jurisdictions. Fellows meet with legal experts from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other institutions. They learn tools and methods to evaluate judicial performance and professionalism, instill and uphold a judicial code of conduct, and advocate for internal reforms. Site visits include the U.S. Supreme Court and National Archives.
Charlottesville
The Program concludes in Charlottesville, Virginia, where the Judicial Fellows will experience the region's vibrant and diverse cultural activities and historic sites. Working with leading faculty at the University of Virginia, the judges and magistrates will explore constitutionalism and other facets of U.S. jurisprudence including criminal justice and human rights law. They will also hone their skills in opinion writing, mediation, collaboration and thought leadership.
Why a Judicial Fellowship?
Just like rules in a sport or board game, rule of law creates impartiality, predictability, and accountability. That's why we partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to launch the Judicial Fellowship Program, a concerted effort to fight corruption and strengthen rule of law globally. Meet the fellows below
Read More2025 Fellows
Sewar Alrashdan
Magistrate Judge, Judicial Authority of Jordan
Juvenal N. Bella
Metropolitan Trial Court Judge, Quezon City, Philippines
Scola Odeyo Boniphace
Magistrate, Kariakoo Primary Court, IIala District, Tanzania
Nilmini Ferdinandez
Senior District Judge, Sri Lanka
Maria Soledad Gennari
Former President and Current Member of the Supreme Court of Neuquén State, Argentina
Andrian Gladun
Judge of the Commercial Court, Cherkasy Region, Ukraine
Shona Griffith
Judge of the Civil Division of the High Court, Barbados
Mary Ann Charisma C. Gutierrez-Kho
Presiding Judge of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities, Branch 1, Bacoor City, Cavite, Philippines
Nataliya Kovalenko
Supreme Court Judge, Cassation Administrative Court, Ukraine
Yegor Krasnov
Supreme Court Judge, Commercial Cassation Court, Ukraine
Amin Magdy
Senior Judge, Egyptian State Council
Ignatius Melaka Nisau
High Court of Malaysia and High Court of Sabah and Sarawak
Jamila Mohammed
Judge, Court of Appeal, Kenya
Nduka Michael Obi
Judge, High Court of Justice, Delta State Judiciary, Nigeria
Carlos Andres Oblitas Alvarez
Technical Judge, Criminal Sentencing Tribunal, Tarija, Bolivia
Agnes Opoku-Barnieh
Justice of the High Court, Ghana
Engert Pellumbi
Judge, Special Court of Appeals for Corruption and Organized Crime, Albania
Viktor Prorok
Supreme Court Judge, Civil Cassation Court, Ukraine
Helena Refosco
Auxiliary Judge to the Chief Justice, National Council of Justice, Brazil
Janaína Rodrigues Valle Gomes
Presiding Federal Judge, 12th Court of Appeals, São Paulo, Brazil
René Rubio Escobar
Federal Judge, Mexico
Aisha Ally Sinda
High Court of Tanzania
Vivian Taylor-Alexander
High Court Judge, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, St. Lucia
Veronique Praba Tetteh
Justice of the High Court, Ghana
Simone Walker-McFarlane
Parish Court Judge, Jamaica
The 2024 Cohort
Our inaugural Judicial Fellowship Program cohort included 20 senior judges from around the world.
Meet the 2024 cohort
Stay in Touch
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