Series: Conversations With Supreme Court Justices
In February 2024, the Brennan Center for Justice, State Court Report, and the NYU Law Review hosted a symposium dedicated to state constitutional law. Several state supreme court justices who participated in the program sat down for brief interviews with State Court Report.
Former Ohio Chief Justice on Democracy, Gerrymandering, and Ukraine
Maureen O’Connor joined the Ohio Supreme Court in 2002 and served as chief justice from 2011 through 2022. In her interview, she discussed the importance of citizens’ ability to amend Ohio’s constitution, expressed concern over gerrymandering, and talked about her work combatting corruption in Ukraine’s judiciary.
Gabriella Sanchez is a writer and editor at the Brennan Center for Justice.
A Conversation with Former Florida Chief Justice Barbara Pariente
Barbara Pariente joined the Florida Supreme Court in 1997 and served as chief justice from 2004 through 2006. In her interview, she reflected on some of the most memorable cases from her time as a justice, expressed dismay at the current court’s decision that the state constitution does not protect abortion rights, and observed that the public is “losing confidence” in the U.S. Supreme Court as it “step[s] away from precedent.”
Erin Geiger Smith is a writer and editor at the Brennan Center for Justice
A Conversation with Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court
Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush has served on the Indiana Supreme Court for over a decade. In her interview, Rush discussed issues facing the people whose cases come before the judiciary — including substance abuse, inability to afford attorneys, and the lack of access to transportation to court.
Gabriella Sanchez is a writer and editor at the Brennan Center for Justice.
A Conversation with Justice Clint Bolick of the Arizona Supreme Court
Justice Clint Bolick was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court in 2016 and in 2018 was retained by the voters for a six-year term. In his interview, Bolick discussed the attorney shortage in Arizona, the state’s eminent domain clause, the state supreme court’s elimination of peremptory jury strikes, and the challenges for state courts when the U.S. Supreme Court returns issues like abortion to the states.
Gabriella Sanchez is a writer and editor at the Brennan Center for Justice.
A Conversation with Former New York High Court Judge Albert Rosenblatt
Albert Rosenblatt was confirmed to the New York Court of Appeals — New York’s highest court — in 1998 and served until 2006. He previously served as a state trial judge and as district attorney of New York’s Dutchess County. In his interview, Rosenblatt discussed the importance of closing the access-to-justice gap, the most memorable cases from his time on the high court, and the friendships he developed with his fellow judges.
Erin Geiger Smith is a writer and editor at the Brennan Center for Justice.
A Conversation with Justice Goodwin H. Liu of the California Supreme Court
Associate Justice Goodwin H. Liu was nominated to the California Supreme Court by Gov. Jerry Brown and joined the court in 2011. He was retained by California voters in 2014 and 2022. In his interview, Liu discussed the tangible ways state supreme court decisions affect citizens, the active direct democracy system in California, and the need for greater attention on state courts — including as part of legal education — no matter the political climate.
Erin Geiger Smith is a writer and editor at the Brennan Center for Justice.
A Conversation with Former Texas Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson
Wallace B. Jefferson served on the Texas Supreme Court from 2001 to 2013, and was chief justice from 2004 until the end of his tenure. In his interview, Jefferson addressed the under-funding of courts, judicial independence, the need for representation for undocumented people, and more. Jefferson serves on the State Court Report advisory board.
Erin Geiger Smith is a writer and editor at the Brennan Center for Justice.
A Conversation with Justice Anita Earls of the North Carolina Supreme Court
Justice Anita Earls was elected to the North Carolina Supreme Court in 2018. She began her eight-year term as an associate justice on the court in 2019. In her interview, Earls addressed the responsibility of state supreme court justices to remedy bias in the legal system, what judicial decision-making should look like in a highly politicized environment, and how voters who are paying increased attention to judicial elections can evaluate the candidates before them.
Douglas Keith is a founding editor of State Court Report and a senior counsel in the Judiciary Program at the Brennan Center for Justice.
