8:55 Welcome and Introductions
9:00 Current Views of the Judiciary and Judicial Independence in North Carolina
J. Michael Bitzer, Catawba College, Salisbury
Christopher A. Cooper, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee
Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation, Raleigh
Joe Stewart, Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, Cary (Moderator)
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 will discuss and share insights on the results as they are revealed.
10:00 Break
10:10 Current and Potential Methods of Judicial Selection
Tim R. Boyum, Spectrum News, Raleigh (Moderator)
Jeanette Doran, North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law, Raleigh
James C. Drennan, University of North Carolina School of Government, Chapel Hill
Former Justice Robert H. "Bob" Edmunds Jr., Fox Rothschild LLP, Greensboro
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.
11:10 Lunch Break and Association Annual Meeting
12:55 Afternoon Announcements and Introductions
1:00 Discussion of Judicial Independence in North Carolina
Loretta M. Boniti, Spectrum News, Raleigh (Moderator)
Former Justice Robert H. "Bob" Edmunds Jr., Fox Rothschild LLP, Greensboro
Richard B. "Rick" Glazier, North Carolina Justice Center, Raleigh
Representative Joe John, North Carolina General Assembly, Raleigh
Former Representative Paul B. "Skip" Stam Jr., Stam Law Firm PLLC, Apex
Discussion regarding the state of Judicial Independence in North Carolina today, 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.
2:15 Adjourn