Built on Listening
Justice isn’t abstract—it affects all of us.
These conversations help build understanding, create space for dialogue, and strengthen trust through shared perspectives.
Judges can share some history and principles from the Declaration of Independence. Just as importantly, judges hear from the communities they serve. Participants are encouraged to speak openly, listen to one another, and reflect on shared values and differences.
Judges Listening: Conversations with America is an initiative of The National Judicial College to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It offers judges and their communities the resources to convene conversations about the Declaration’s principles of the Rule of Law and judicial independence.
What Is Judges Listening?
Judges Listening seeks to build public trust through community conversations about justice. It offers judges the knowledge and tools to convene conversations with their community, beyond the bench and bar. It celebrates the Declaration of Independence and its core principles of judicial independence and the Rule of Law. Conversations can begin with a bit of 1776 and then explore how those principles affect your daily lives.
It all began with Declaration of Independence
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Many people take the importance of the Rule of Law and an independent judiciary for granted. But the drafters of the Declaration knew how critical these concepts were in creating a new nation “with justice and liberty for all.” This year’s 250th Anniversary offers an opportunity to discuss how the past protects our present everyday life.
Today the judiciary is suffering a crisis in public confidence. Calls to impeach judges over their decisions are increasing. Pew Charitable Trusts reports a 20% decline in the favorability rating of the US Supreme Court, in just the last five years. To compound matters, public opinion is often formed without judicial participation, as judicial ethics rules often prohibit judges answering questions about pending cases.
Increasing trust in the judiciary requires meeting the public where they work and live. And that’s what Judges Listening provides: an opportunity to invite participants to have a meaningful conversation on what fairness, justice, and the Rule of Law mean to them.
What Makes This Program Different?
Three features make this program unique from speakers’ bureaus, town hall meetings, and other judicial events.
First, this program meets people where they live and work.
Second, the nation is celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. By offering excerpts of the Declaration, the materials provide a basis for these quarter-millennial conversations and reflections.
Third, Judges Listening is designed to assist the judiciary in achieving the goal of having the public feel heard. Trust develops naturally from conversations.
