Judicial Fellowship Program
Overview
The Judicial Fellowship Program, presented in partnership by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Presidential Precinct, is a professional exchange and residential learning experience designed to strengthen the legal systems in foreign countries by building a cadre of judicial leaders from around the world.
In October 2024, the Initiative brought 20 international judges and magistrates to Washington, DC and the Commonwealth of Virginia for two weeks of customized education and networking opportunities. Working with the National Center for State Courts, James Madison’s Montpelier, and our academic partners at William & Mary and the University of Virginia, we presented a comprehensive and immersive program that combined theoretical knowledge with practical skills to foster critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and a deep understanding of the rule of law.
Learn why we launched this program View 2024 Program Photos
2024 Fellows
Ana Maria Ibarra Olguin
Federal Magistrate, Mexico
Awat Qadir
Appeal Court Judge & President, Iraq
Bertha Patricia Orozco Hernandez
Federal Criminal Execution Judge, Mexico
Carla Pandolfi
Lawyer & Judiciary Member, Argentina
Dorothy Kamanga
Appeal Court Justice & Legal Education Lecturer, Malawi
Eshetu Yadeta Temesgen
State Supreme Court Justice & Judicial Trainer, Ethiopia
Etiene Coelho Martins
Federal Judge, Brazil
Ivan Mishchenko
Supreme Court Judge, Ukraine
Jacqueline Kamau
High Court Judge, Kenya
Kevin Cabezas Paez
Trial Court Judge, Ecuador
Kostiantyn Pilkov
Supreme Court Judge, Ukraine
Mateen Akram Taha
Deputy President, Kirkuk Court of Appeal, Iraq
Moustafa Ahmad Kamal
Senior Judge, Ministry of Justice, Egypt
Nancy Carmen
Assistant Professor & Judge, Peru
Nghia Duy Pham
Professor & Arbitrator, Vietnam
Oleksiy Sluch
Supreme Court Judge, Ukraine
Olena Kibenko
Supreme Court Judge & Professor, Ukraine
Rafael Cancho Alarcon
Criminal Judge, Peru
Umar Faruk Kabir
District Court Chief Magistrate & Zonal Administrative Secretary, Nigeria
Viktor Bratasyuk
District Court Judge, Ternopil Region, Ukraine
2024 Program Agenda
The Judicial Fellowship Program spans over two weeks, featuring activities in Washington, DC; Charlottesville, Virginia; and Williamsburg, Virginia.
Teaching methods emphasize interactive exercises, case studies, simulations and experiential learning.
Washington
The program opens Washington, DC, where delegation members begin their exploration of the United States’ federal system of national and subnational courts and jurisdictions. Delegation members meet with legal experts, including those from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 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
Delegation members next travel to Charlottesville, Virginia. Working with leading faculty, they further explore constitutionalism and facets of U.S. jurisprudence including an adversarial system of criminal justice, civil rights, victims’ rights, anti-corruption, and the judiciary’s intersections with the military and legislative branches of government. Delegation members also have opportunities to experience greater Charlottesville’s vibrant and diverse cultural activities, and visit historic sites including James Madison’s Montpelier and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.
Williamsburg
The program concludes in Williamsburg, Virginia, where judges engage legal scholars and leading practitioners at William & Mary – the second oldest college in the U.S. – and the National Center for State Courts. Sessions and site visits explore administration and training, including international best practices for judicial appointments and elections, moot courts and other proven methods to strengthen litigation skills and investigative techniques, and adoption of information technology to manage dockets and increase public access and transparency. A private tour of Colonial Williamsburg is included in the program.
Stay in Touch
Want to take part in a future Judicial Fellowship Program? Please click the button below to send your inquiry to our programming team.
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