“The Last Umpires? The News Media, the ABA and Other Independent Voices in the Federal Judicial Confirmation Process”

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Can there really be “independent voices” in a judicial appointments process that is shot through with partisan considerations? If so, what is the role of such voices? Has this role changed over time? Are there any nonpartisan actors that ought to be given greater participation in the confirmation of federal judges?

A panel discussion moderated by Lisa Dolak. Panelists included: Steve Tober, Former Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary; Lee Epstein, Beatrice Kuhn Professor of Law at the Northwestern University School of Law; and Lyle Denniston, Reporter, SCOTUSblog. This event was co-sponsored by the Sawyer Law and Politics Program at Maxwell.

ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary: What It Is and How It Works
SCFJ Letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee on the rating of Justice Alito

EVENT PARTICIPANTS

Steve Tober
Former Chairman, ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary

Lee Epstein
Beatrice Kuhn Professor of Law, Northwestern University School of Law

Lyle Denniston
Reporter, SCOTUSblog