Cornell University law professor Valerie P. Hans, along with two distinguished colleagues, received the prestigious 2025 Civil Justice Scholarship Award from the National Civil Justice Institute. This recognition is awarded for influential scholarly work in the realm of civil justice.
Hans is honored alongside Professor Richard Jolly of Southwestern Law School and attorney Robert Peck from the Center for Constitutional Law. The trio’s winning article, “Democratic Renewal and the Civil Jury,” published in the Georgia Law Review, examines the pivotal role of the civil jury in enhancing civic engagement and upholding democratic values in contemporary society.
Their collaborative research underscores the importance of the civil jury system as not only a fundamental component of the judicial landscape but also as a keystone in the arch of democratic governance. By analyzing shortcomings that have eroded the efficacy and prevalence of civil juries, Hans, Jolly, and Peck present six scholarly recommendations aimed at rejuvenating this crucial institution.
Such revitalization efforts, as underscored in their work, could lead to heightened public participation in the legal process and more equitable outcomes, reinforcing the jury’s role in fostering societal stability.
The Civil Justice Scholarship Award specifically celebrates outstanding contributions to legal scholarship that address key facets of civil justice, such as accessibility to justice and the preservation of the jury trial in civil litigations. It is presented periodically to those whose work offers significant insights and practical solutions in these areas.
In response to the honor, Hans expressed a deep appreciation for the recognition, noting its reflection of a continued conversation on improving and understanding the civil jury system—a testament to community, fairness, and democratic principles.
Professor Hans, a leading expert on jury systems, combines her expertise in law with a robust foundation in social science. Her extensive body of work includes 10 books and over 150 research articles, focusing on empirical studies of law and the judiciary, particularly juries and jury reform. Her international lectures and research further contribute to a broader understanding and implementation of social science within legal frameworks.
With such distinguished contributions to the field, Hans’s work continues to illuminate the complexities and significance of the jury system in maintaining the balance of justice and democracy across the United States.
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