Neither Sword Nor Purse

Defending America’s Independent Judiciary and the Rule of Law

April 17–18, 2026 | W.H. Gates Hall, University of Washington (Seattle, WA)

Attacks on the independent judiciary undermine public confidence in the courts and weaken the foundation of the American legal system.

While it took a Broadway musical to put Alexander Hamilton back in the public eye, attacks on the Constitution have kept him here. In his Federalist (No. 78) essay defending the necessity of an independent judiciary, Hamilton observes that the judicial branch has neither “the sword” (military authority), nor “the purse” (fiscal authority). Thus, judicial independence and impartiality must be protected from undue interference.

A two-day national symposium at UW Law — "Neither Sword Nor Purse” — will convene retired federal judges, legal leaders, scholars and journalists to examine the rule of law, the foundations of judicial independence and current attacks on courts. Speakers and panels will also focus on public trust, civic education and strategies for addressing misinformation about our judiciary.

Event Video from TVW

News Release

University of Washington School of Law to Convene National Rule of Law Symposium on Defending America’s Independent Judiciary

Seattle, WA — As judges across the United States face growing political pressure, public attacks, and threats to their personal safety, the University of Washington School of Law will convene a national symposium this spring to examine how to protect America’s independent federal judiciary and the Rule of Law.

The two-day symposium, hosted at UW Law in Seattle, is sponsored by the American College of Trial Lawyers and planned in partnership with Keep Our Republic/Article 3 Coalition, the Society for the Rule of Law, and the Task Force for American Democracy. It convenes an impressive slate of judges, scholars, and journalists who will deeply examine the Rule of Law and the constitutional foundations of judicial independence.

“This symposium is designed to address a core constitutional concern,” said Toni Rembe Dean Tamara F. Lawson. “Attacks on an impartial and independent judiciary undermine public confidence in the courts, which weakens the foundation of the American legal system and its protections.”

“The judiciary was designed to be independent precisely so it could uphold the rule of law,” said Judge Robert Harlan Henry, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (ret.) and UW Law Jurist-in-Residence. “At this moment, independence is under sustained challenges. This symposium will confront those challenges directly.”

Panelists and speakers include:

Jess Bravin, Wall Street Journal Supreme Court Correspondent
Thomas B. Griffith, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (ret.)
Paul W. Grimm, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (ret.), Duke Law School
Judge Robert Harlan Henry, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit (ret.), UW School of Law Jurist-in-Residence
J. Michael Luttig, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (ret.)
Kimberly J. Mueller, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California (ret.), Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law
Shira Scheindlin, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (ret.)
Debra L. Stephens, Chief Justice, Washington State Supreme Court
Seth P. Waxman, U.S. Solicitor General, 1997–2001
Mark L. Wolf, U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (ret.)
Diane P. Wood, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (ret.)
All speaker bios

“The extraordinary group of judges and scholars participating in this symposium reflects the level of concern within the legal community — and a shared commitment not just to diagnosing the problem, but to identifying meaningful ways to address it,” said Hugh Spitzer, UW Law Associate Dean Emeritus.

Symposium: “Neither Sword Nor Purse” — Defending America’s Independent Judiciary and the Rule of Law

Friday, April 17

Events in Room 138 unless otherwise indicated.

8–8:15 a.m.
Welcome to Washington & UW Law
State Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Stephens; Dean Tamara F. Lawson; Introduction to the Symposium & Introduction to Keynote Speaker: Prof. Hugh Spitzer
8:15–9 a.m.
These are the Times that Try Men’s Souls — Keynote
4th Circuit Judge J. Michael Luttig
9–10 a.m.
Response to Keynote
Moderator: John Day, President, American College of Trial Lawyers.
Panelists: U.S. Dist. Ct. Judge Nancy Gertner (Mass.); D.C. Circuit Judge Thomas Griffith; Dean Erwin Chemerinsky; Mary Smith; Jess Bravin
10–10:15 a.m.
Break
10:15–10:45 a.m.
A Government of Laws and Not of Men
Article III, Independent Judges, and the Rule of Law
Introduction by Prof. Lisa Manheim; Presentation by 10th Cir. Judge Robert Harlan Henry
10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
An Attack on One is An Attack on All
Presentations: Judge Paul Grimm and Judge Kim Mueller
Moderator: Gov. Christine Gregoire
Panelists: Judge Mark Wolf; Judge Paul Watford; Judge Bernice Donald; Abbie VanSickle; Mary Smith; Judge Benes Aldana (ret.)
12:15–12:30 p.m.
Break for Buffet Lunch in the Galleria
12:30–1:45 p.m.
Dean’s Medal Presentation
Dean Tamara F. Lawson presents to Judge J. Michael Luttig
Speakers: Rex Huppke — Sorry. Everything is My Fault; Prof. Keith Gaddie — A Citadel of Public Justice and Public Security
1:45–3:15 p.m.
The Bench Under Siege
Media and Social Media Attacks on the Judiciary
Presentation: Alison Durran and Danielle Lee Tomson
Moderator: Gregg Nunziata
Panelists: Rex Huppke; Judge Shira A. Scheindlin
3:15–3:35 p.m.
To Secure a Steady, Upright, and Impartial Administration of the Laws
Judge Mark Wolf
3:35–3:45 p.m.
Break
3:45–5 p.m.
Without Favor, Without Fear
Threats to Independent Judges Here and Abroad
Presentation: World Justice Project representative
Moderator: Prof. Anita Ramasastry
Panelists: Prof. Margaret Satterthwaite; Rt. Hon. Joel Ngugi; Judge Rosemary Barkett; Prof. Clark Lombardi; Alejandro (Alex) Ponce
5–5:30 p.m.
Audience Q&A

Saturday, April 18

7:45–8:15 a.m.
Morning Refreshments & Call to Order
Prof. Hugh Spitzer
8:15–9 a.m.
Fortifying the Temple of Justice
Improving Physical Safety and Security
Moderator: Judge Abdul Kallon
Panelists: Judge Paul Grimm; Judge Bernice Donald; Justice Debra Stephens
9–9:45 a.m.
Securing the Scales
Addressing Media & Social Media Attacks
Moderator: Prof. Ryan Calo
Panelists: Judge Rosemary Barkett; Prof. Kate Starbird; Jess Bravin; Judge Mark Wolf
9:45–10:30 a.m.
Justice Must Not Only be Done, but Must be Seen to be Done
Civics & Communicating with the Public
Moderator: Mary Smith
Panelists: Louise Dubé; Prof. Sam Wineburg; Corey Paulson; Rex Huppke; Judge Shira Scheindlin; Prof. Stephen Rosenbaum
10:30–11:15 a.m.
The Robe and the Responsibility
Judicial Accountability & Ethics
Moderator: Judge Diane Wood
Panelists: Judge Benes Aldana; Judge Shira Scheindlin; Abbie VanSickle; Judge Kim Mueller
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Our Lives, Our Fortunes, and Our Sacred Honor
Wrap-up Panel
Moderator: Judge Robert Harlan Henry
Panelists: Erwin Chemerinsky; Jess Bravin; Judge Thomas B. Griffith; Judge Paul Grimm; Judge J. Michael Luttig; Seth Waxman
12:15–12:30 p.m.
Closing & Godspeed
Dean Tamara F. Lawson