New Judicial Exchange Addresses Challenges to Rule of Law and Judicial Integrity
Judicial systems vary, but the rule of law faces common challenges across borders: stresses on the wellbeing of judges, questions and risks surrounding the adoption of AI, threats to the independence and integrity of the justice system, and more.
The newly launched International Judicial Exchange provides a collaborative forum for addressing these challenges. Created by the Presidential Precinct, the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the National Center for States Courts, and the US Judicial Conference Committee on International Judicial Relations, the Exchange pairs US and international judges for peer-to-peer learning, support, and problem solving.
“We are excited about this strategic collaboration to support judges, expand their communities, and give them opportunities to learn from one another,” said Toyosi Ogunseye, President & CEO of the Presidential Precinct.
“We know that judges are isolated. We set out to create something that would give them a venue to discuss matters that are very critical to the elevation and the protection of the rule of law in their individual countries. The Presidential Precinct is committed to developing the best leaders for tomorrow, and we see the judicial sphere as one of the most important ways to invest in stable democracies, thriving economies, and flourishing societies.”
Building on a legacy of training and leadership development
The National Center for State Courts and the U.S. Judicial Conference Committee on International Judicial Relations have a legacy of promoting the rule of law in international affairs and extensive work in training, mentoring, support, and guidance to judges in many jurisdictions across the world. These two organizations selected the US judges for the International Judicial Exchange: five from federal courts and five from state courts.
JoAnne Richardson, Managing Director of International Programs at the National Center for State Courts, said, “It has been an honor and a real privilege to develop this program in partnership with these organizations, united in the pursuit of advancing rule of law, facilitating mutual learning, and sharing best practices between judicial peers.”
Since 2024, the Presidential Precinct and the U.S Chamber of Commerce Foundation have collaborated on the Judicial Fellowship Program, a professional exchange for international judges passionate about strengthening legal systems. The ten international judges participating in the first Exchange cohort were selected from program alumni.
The Judicial Fellowship Program, which will welcome its third cohort this September, has been uniquely effective in helping international judges discover common ground and mutual support. As Melissa Mendizabal, Senior Manager of Strategy and Innovation at the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation, said, “What we've seen in the Judicial Fellowship Program…is that the greatest value isn't just the knowledge that's gained in those two weeks, but rather the community that's formed afterwards. So we really hope that [this exchange] creates new opportunities for judges from different backgrounds, jurisdictions, countries, and legal traditions to connect as peers and colleagues — and hopefully friends — to exchange ideas and learn from one another's best experiences.”
A foundation for peer-to-peer support and mentorship
The partner organizations held a town hall for participating judges in July. During the gathering, Isabelle Laferrière, staff to the International Judicial Relations Committee, said, “As Committee staff, we are very proud to support initiatives like this that create valuable opportunities for judges to exchange ideas and to learn from one another. I want to extend our warm welcome to our participating judges. We hope that this exchange will give you the opportunity to build new relationships, share experiences, and gain fresh perspectives. Although you may come from different legal systems and traditions, you are united by a shared commitment to justice, fairness, and the rule of law. And I hope that shared commitment will lead to meaningful conversations over the coming months.”
As part of the Exchange, each international judge will be paired with a US judge. The pairs will meet virtually each month for six months, choosing their own agenda for discussions. Judges have already begun making connections and sharing ideas for further discussion in the months to come.
We look forward to sharing perspectives from the participating judges as the program develops, and continuing to share updates from the alumni of the Judicial Fellowship Program as they strengthen legal systems and contribute to thriving societies around the world.
Meet the judges participating in the International Judicial Exchange
Judges from the United States
Morgan Christen — Judge, US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Danielle Forrest — Judge, US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Charles Breyer — Senior District Judge, Northern District of California
Kiyo Matsumoto — District Judge, Eastern District of New York
Jeffery S. Frensley — Magistrate Judge, US District Court, Middle District of Tennessee
Peggy Chiampas — Associate Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
Daniel S. Fiore — Judge, Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of Virginia
Adrienne Elaine Davis — Circuit Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois
Jack Nevin — Retired Judge, Washington State Superior Court
Carlos F. Acosta — Associate Judge, Montgomery County Circuit Court, Maryland
International judges (Judicial Fellowship Program Alumni)
Andrian Gladun, Ukraine — Judge of the Commercial Court, Cherkasy Region
Nataliya Kovalenko, Ukraine — Supreme Court Judge, Cassation Administrative Court
Sewar Alrashdan, Jordan — Magistrate Judge, Judicial Authority of Jordan
Viktor Prorok, Ukraine — Supreme Court Judge, Civil Cassation Court
Vivian Taylor-Alexander, St. Lucia — High Court Judge, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
Awat Qadir, Iraq — Appeal Court Judge & President
Jacqueline Kamau, Kenya — High Court Judge
Moustafa Ahmad Kamal, Egypt — Senior Judge, Ministry of Justice
Oleksiy Sluch, Ukraine — Supreme Court Judge
Viktor Bratasyuk, Ukraine — Senior Advisor (ret.), Legal Support Department of the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court
The Presidential Precinct accelerates change by shaping the leaders of tomorrow. If you’d like to receive leadership insights and opportunities to get involved, subscribe to our newsletter.
