On February 13, 2025, LWVGP Federal Judiciary Study Group members met for the first of seven meetings. When someone was out of town, we used Zoom to get together.
LWVUS study materials were a starting point for this knowledgeable and inquisitive group. Together, we found, shared, and discussed, at great length, additional materials to add to our knowledge and inform the answers we submitted to the national study group.
We were allowed 100 words for comments under each of the twelve questions and another 400 words for further comments. We submitted our responses on April 12, 2025.
We hope you find the results of our participation interesting.
On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Kimberly Fraser, Chair of the National Federal Judiciary Study Committee, sent her personal thanks to LWVGP
“ . . . for your discussion, time and thoughtfulness. . . We were all struck by and appreciative of the seriousness and enthusiasm with which you approached [this] study.”
Our response was made possible by committee members Lauri Kingsbury, Chair, Nicole Castka, Marge Freundl, Vicki Granger, Ruth Hoover, and Joanne. Swanson. Thanks to all for making this happen!
Gratitude
- Ms. Hackworth at the Ellen Stempfle Campus, Wayne County Community College District, gave us classroom space.
- Nicole Castka, an experienced criminal defense litigator, shared her knowledge of criminal procedure and her deep commitment to legal ethics.
- Marge Freundl, with her 30+ years in nursing and nursing management, asked questions that triggered deeper discussions into ethics and the human costs of court decisions.
- Vicki Granger brought the viewpoint of a long-serving public official.
- Ruth Hoover volunteered to be our recorder for each meeting. With her near-verbatim notes, we were able to keep track of our often wide-ranging discussions.
- Lauri Kingsbury kept us organized.
- Lynne Pierce rounded out our research with the viewpoint of a judge with 20+ years experience on the bench.
- Joanne Swanson, a civil litigator with 30 years experience in state and federal courts, gave us her eloquence and insight into the nuances of law and legal ethics.