Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a powerful call to action, urging lawyers to defend the legal system amid escalating political attacks on judges and legal institutions. Speaking at an American Bar Association event in Washington, she …
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‘Lawfare’ in Spain: the cases against the Sánchez family
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has accused far-right groups and segments of the judiciary of engaging in “lawfare”—using legal mechanisms to pursue politically motivated cases—against his wife and brother. Both are under investigation for …
Retired judges criticize Trump admin over arrest of Milwaukee County judge: ‘Embarrassing spectacle’
More than 150 retired state and federal judges have signed a letter condemning the Trump Administration’s arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan and escalating threats against the judiciary. The letter, addressed to Attorney …
Chief Justice Roberts says judicial independence is key to checking Congress and the president
Amid growing political attacks on the judiciary, U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts delivered a firm defense of judicial independence, stating that an autonomous judiciary is essential to balance the powers of Congress and the presidency. …
Judges Condemn Arrest of Wisconsin Judge and Attacks on Judicial Independence
More than 150 retired state and federal judges have signed a letter condemning the Trump Administration’s arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan and escalating threats against the judiciary. The letter, addressed to Attorney …
Mexican Federal Judges File Human Rights Petition to IACHR on Recent Judicial Reform: Vance Center Files on Judges’ Behalf
Fourteen current and former Mexican federal judges have filed a human rights petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), alleging that Mexico’s controversial 2024 judicial reform violated their rights and undermined judicial independence. …
Gobe and Salaymeh (2016), “Tunisia’s “Revolutionary” Lawyers: From Professional Autonomy to Political Mobilization”
Tunisian lawyers played a key role in the 2011 uprising and its aftermath, using political lawyering to gain symbolic influence and act as watchdogs over the new government.
Batesmith and Stevens (2018), “In the Absence of the Rule of Law: Everyday Lawyering, Dignity and Resistance in Myanmar’s ‘Disciplined Democracy'”
In Myanmar’s authoritarian legal system, everyday lawyers resist state power by preserving client dignity, offering subtle defiance where rule of law is absent.
Shafqat (2019), “Civil Society and the Lawyers’ Movement of Pakistan”
This article analyzes how lawyers drove Pakistan’s 2007–2009 judicial movement, but civil society’s framing made its democratic impact possible.
Ghias (2010), “Miscarriage of Chief Justice: Judicial Power and the Legal Complex in Pakistan under Musharraf”
The article explores how Pakistan’s judiciary expanded its power under Musharraf, with lawyers and judges resisting regime control through public interest litigation.