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AAUW NC and Democracy North Carolina
sponsored a forum covering the federal judicial role and appointment process and
the new state Judicial Campaign Reform Act. It was held on Thursday evening, Feb.
19 at the UNC Law School.
There was a gathering reception hosted by the Chapel Hill branch of AAUW at
6:30pm. Thanks to Mary Paterson and her committee for their help.
The program started at 6:45pm with a panel presentation. Moderator, Mary Peterson
welcomed the group and introduced the panelists.
Dr. Louis Bilionis
Samuel Ashe Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law at UNC School of Law.
Professor Bilionis explained the three layers of the federal court system and
spoke about the role of each.
Michael Gerhardt
Arthur B. Hanson Professor at William & Mary School of Law. Professor Gerhardt
gave us some history and background about the appointment process. He then discussed
the dynamics of the Senate and the present administration in trying to use the
appointment process.
Bob Hall, Co-Director of Democracy North Carolina
Hall is an expert on the new Judicial Reform Act as he worked side by side with
state legislators to design the bill. This bill gives public campaign financing
to state appellate court judges after they raise a certain amount of money on
their own.
NC Court of Appeals Judge Wanda Bryant
Judge Bryant talked about the role of the Appellate Judge in the State Judicial
system. She then addressed the Judicial Reform Act which will enable her to spend
less time raising money and give her more time to campaign. She must continue
being a full time judge while running for office.
This community discussion had a twofold purpose:
- To help the public understand more about the federal district court role and
the federal judicial appointment process
- To explain how the NC Judicial Campaign Reform Act can improve the election
of judges who sit on the NC Court of Appeals and the NC Supreme Court and the
response needed from the NC citizens.
This forum was funded in part by a public policy impact grant
from the
American Association of University Women.
See also: page announcing the forum
| program brochure.
For more information, contact program@aauwnc.org.
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