2022 NCBA Annual Meeting Features Judicial Independence Symposium

The 2022 NCBA Annual Meeting featured the Judicial Independence Symposium on Friday, June 24. Over three one-hour sessions, panelists explored the current views of the judiciary and judicial independence in North Carolina, outlined current and potential methods of judicial selection, and discussed judicial independence in North Carolina today and in the future.

The symposium was presented as a live webcast by the NCBA CLE Department with 3.0 MCLE hours approved for North Carolina lawyers. In program materials provided for the CLE, the summary stated that one goal of the symposium “is to better understand the public’s perception of the judiciary, our legal system and concepts related to judicial independence.”

President Jon Heyl introduces Judicial Independence Symposium participants. Heyl is a white man with brown hair who is wearing a black suit and a navy-blue and grey striped tie. He stands in front of a podium that has a white sign that reads “North Carolina Bar Association” in black text and all caps, and “seeking liberty + justice in lowercase beneath. Heyl is standing in front of a gold background and the American flag is visible behind him.

President Jon Heyl introduces Judicial Independence Symposium participants.

“Another goal,” the summary continued, “is to present viewpoints from engaged participants regarding the current state of our judiciary and legal system, and to provide an exploration of options for our state with regards to methods of judicial appointment/elections. To envision what may be possible tomorrow, requires a better understanding of today.”

The summary also noted how the timing of this year’s annual meeting coincided with the final days of the current term of the U.S. Supreme Court, during which several high profile opinions were anticipated. In fact, the opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade, was issued the morning of the symposium.

NCBA President Jon Heyl provided welcoming remarks and provided introductions of the moderators and speakers for each of the following three sessions:

Current Views of the Judiciary and Judicial Independence in North Carolina

A statewide poll of likely voters and a side-by-side poll of NC attorneys has been performed for the NCBA by Cygnal polling. The polling includes trust and confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, North Carolina Appellate and non-appellate courts and views on judicial elections, partisan elections, the concept of judicial appointments, fairness, speed of justice, judicial resources and perceived influence on judiciary, among other related issues. The panelists discuss and share insights on the results.

Moderator: Joe Stewart, Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina

Panelists: J. Michael Bitzer, Catawba College; Christopher A. Cooper, Western Carolina University; Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation

From left, Joe Stewart, Christopher A. Cooper, Mitch Kokai and J. Michael Bitzer. Joe Stewart is a white man with grey hair and a grey beard. He is smiling and wearing black round glasses, a blue and white striped button-down shirt, a bright blue bowtie, dark green and gold patterned suspenders, and grey pants. Christopher A. Cooper is a white man with brown hair, and he is smiling and wearing a white button-down shirt, red tie, and pale grey suit. Mitch Kokai is a white man with dark brown hair, and he is also smiling. He is wearing black glasses, a white button-down shirt, a dark tie, and a grey and blue pinstriped suit. Michael Bitzer is a white man with light blond hair, and he is also smiling. Michael wears a brown circular glasses, a blue button-down shirt, off-white pinstriped suit, and a bowtie that is red, cream, and pale blue. They stand near the front of the stage, and the projector is visible behind Michael.

From left, Joe Stewart, Christopher A. Cooper, Mitch Kokai and J. Michael Bitzer.

Current and Potential Methods of Judicial Selection

The session includes a general discussion of methods of Judicial selection in use across the United States including election and appointment; any new developments or methods that are being used; and potential changes to the processes used in North Carolina or reasons to keep current processes in place.

Moderator: Tim R. Boyum, Spectrum News

Panelists: Former Justice Robert H. (Bob) Edmunds Jr., Fox Rothschild LLP; Jeanette Doran, North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law; James C. Drennan, University of North Carolina School of Government

From left, James C. Drennan, Robert H. (Bob) Edmunds Jr., Tim R. Boyum and Jeanette Doran. James C. Drennan is a white man with black glasses, and he is wearing a blue button-down shirt, dark blue tie, dark blue suit jacket, and khaki pants, and he is smiling. Robert H. (Bob) Edmunds Jr. is a white man with light brown hair and black glasses, and he is smiling and wearing a white button-down shirt, yellow tie with blue stripes, and a black and grey pinstriped suit. Tim R. Boyum is a white man with black glasses, and he is wearing a white button-down shirt, medium blue suit, and a red, blue and white bowtie. Jeanette Doran is a white woman with blond, shoulder-length hair, and she is smiling with her mouth closed. Jeanette is wearing an orange-red dress and gold necklace. The participants stand in front of the stage, and the screen is visible behind Robert, Tim and Jeanette.

From left, James C. Drennan, Robert H. (Bob) Edmunds Jr., Tim R. Boyum and Jeanette Doran.

Discussion of Judicial Independence in North Carolina

Discussion regarding the state of Judicial Independence in North Carolina, including current challenges to Judicial Independence, as well as current and future opportunities and threats to Judicial Independence. Topics in this session include effects of partisan elections on the composition of judiciary, judicial action and perceptions of the judiciary and justice. Impacts of the current political environment on judicial candidates are also discussed. The polling results are also discussed in this session.

Moderator: Loretta M. Boniti, Spectrum News

Panelists: Former Justice Robert H. (Bob) Edmunds Jr., Fox Rothschild LLP; Representative Joe John, North Carolina General Assembly; Former Representative Richard B. (Rick) Glazier, North Carolina Justice Center; Former Representative Paul B. (Skip) Stam Jr., Stam Law Firm PLLC

From left, Loretta M. Boniti, Paul B. (Skip) Stam Jr., Richard B. (Rick) Glazier, Robert H. (Bob) Edmunds Jr. and Joe John. Loretta M. Boniti is a white woman with golden brown hair, and she is smiling with her mouth closed and wearing a teal wrap dress. Paul B. (Skip) Stam Jr. is a white man with grey-brown hair, and he is smiling and wearing a white button-down shirt with a blue and grey-striped tie and black suit. Richard B. (Rick) Glazier, is a white man with grey hair who is also smiling and he is wearing a white button-down shirt with a pale grey jacket and khaki pants. Robert H. (Bob) Edmunds Jr. is a white man with light brown hair and black glasses, and he is smiling and wearing a white button-down shirt, lavender printed tie, and a black and grey pinstriped suit. Joe John is a white man with a short grey beard and mustache, and he is smiling with his mouth closed and wearing a pale blue shirt, black suit and gold and white patterned tie and a gold circular pin on his lapel. The participants stand in front of a gold background and the American flag is visible behind them.

From left, Loretta M. Boniti, Paul B. (Skip) Stam Jr., Richard B. (Rick) Glazier, Robert H. (Bob) Edmunds Jr. and Joe John.

To watch these sessions and learn more about the poll results, access the 2022 Judicial Independence Symposium on the NCBA website. The views and opinions expressed, as denoted on the website and in the compilation of materials which are accessible through this link, are those of the individuals and do not necessarily represent official policy, position or views of the North Carolina Bar Association.

Russell Rawlings is director of external affairs and communications for the North Carolina Bar Association.