President’s Column: “A GOOD JUDGE”

Authors

Russell J. Otter

Date of this Version

2017

Document Type

Article

Citation

Court Review, Volume 53, Issue 1 (2017)

Comments

Copyright American Judges Association. Used by permission.

Abstract

Founded in 1959, the American Judges Association has long been “The Voice of the Judiciary®.” This role has been amplified in recent times with the mission of “Making Better Judges®,” which is premised on the assumption that our members are good judges already.

Electors and governments choose those whom they consider will make good judges. The AJA seeks to make good judges better.

What makes a good judge has been the subject of extensive debate and dispute over the years by numerous judges, lawyers, and other commentators. Whether a judge is elected or appointed, it matters not. Among the two foremost qualities of making good judges, I would submit, are professional excellence and judicial temperament.