Past Activities

As a result of mounting concern that certain actions of the political branches were threatening judicial independence and undermining public confidence in the judiciary, FJIC spearheaded the formation of an ABA-wide Commission on Separation of Powers and Judicial Independence to respond to the recent attacks on the Judiciary and to deliver the overriding message that the vitality of our democracy is rooted in an independent judiciary. The project was funded by the Board and the commission was comprised of all non- judicial members of FJIC, members of other ABA entities and one non-lawyer member. Over the next year, FJIC dedicated most of its resources and time to the planning and operation of the commission. After the commission?s final report was released, FJIC took over the role of implementing the report's recommendations.

More recently, FJIC has coordinated the Association's response to the Report of the Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts. Since appellate court restructuring is an issue with which FJIC had wrestled on previous occasions, FJIC took the lead in working with the Section of Litigation and other entities to develop a consensus position on this important issue, which was approved by the House of Delegates in August 1999.

While FJIC identifies legislative proposals and other congressional activity requiring its attention, the Committee is often asked to investigate a specific problem affecting judicial administration. For example, during the last few years, the ABA president has asked FJIC to look into issues which were identified as problematic for the judiciary during one of the annual meetings between the Executive Committee of the Judicial Conference and ABA leaders. In response to such requests, FJIC developed policy positions in 8/98, 4/99 and 8/99 addressing the budgetary freeze on court facility funds and the need for direct submission of the judiciary's budget to Congress.

At other times, FJIC is asked by a board member or other ABA leader to look into a specific issue affecting judicial administration. During the last few years, these types of requests have given rise to the examination and development of policy in two other areas: streamlining the bankruptcy reappointment process and elevation of the District Court of the Virgin Islands into an Article III district court.

In addition to coordinating policy positions and responding to legislative proposals and other activities of the political branches, FJIC has actively cultivated ties with other entities within and outside the Association that focus on matters affecting the federal courts. Recognizing that no organization is effective by itself, the committee regularly reaches out to and exchanges information with other external entities, including Citizens for Independent Courts, the Federal Judicial Center, the Judicial Conference of the U.S. and the Administrative Office's Public Affairs and Legislative Affairs divisions.

Another facet of the committee's public relations work involves the Meador- Rosenberg Award. FJIC created this award in 1995 to recognize individuals who have made enduring and outstanding contributions to improving the administration of justice. The award has only been presented to three individuals: Judge William Schwarzer in 1995, Retired Congressman Robert Kastenmeier in 1998, and to Judge Richard Arnold in 1999. The award itself has achieved a position of status, thanks to the support and presence of the president and other leaders within the ABA. FJIC is grateful for such support.