Judges

Florida Death Row Inmates Outlive Sentencing Judges, Casting Doubt on Death Penalty’s Effectiveness

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida — The death penalty in Florida may not be as swift or effective as intended, as many inmates on death row outlive the judges who sentenced them. Last year, Florida executed six inmates, but four of them lived longer than the judges who condemned them. One example is Duane Owen, who was sentenced to death in 1986 for the murders of a 14-year-old babysitter and a 38-year-old mother in separate attacks. Owen was 62 when he was executed last June, four years after the death of Palm Beach Judge Richard Burk, who … Read more

New Yorkers Rally for Legislative Change as Judges Slash Employment Bias Lawsuit Verdicts, Undermining Justice for Victims

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New York, NY – New Yorkers who prevail in employment bias lawsuits often receive far less compensation than what juries initially granted them, due to judges reducing the amounts. State lawmakers are now working on legislation to rectify this issue, as they believe it undermines justice for victims and fails to discourage employers from continuing harmful practices. State Senator Andrew Gournardes is leading the effort to pass a bill that would protect jury verdicts in such cases. Under the current rule in New York, judges are required to lower verdicts if they deviate significantly from … Read more

Celebrating Progress and Advocating for Gender Equality in the Judiciary: The International Day of Women Judges Highlights the Importance of Inclusion and Empowerment

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The International Day of Women Judges, celebrated on March 10th, prompts reflection on the progress achieved in achieving gender equality within the judicial sphere. Judge Graciela Gatti Santana, President of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (Mechanism), recognizes the remarkable contributions of her fellow women judges from diverse backgrounds around the world. These women enrich the Mechanism’s chambers with their expertise, some having attained judicial posts that were previously inaccessible to women. While there has been considerable progress, there remains much work to be done to achieve full and equal representation of women in … Read more

Judge’s Battle with Argentina: An Inside Look at the Landmark Case That Reshaped Sovereign Debt Markets

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New York, NY – Argentina’s notorious history of defaults and legal battles in U.S. courts is highlighted by its largest default to date: a staggering $100 billion in bonds in December 2001. Despite restructuring 76% of this debt in 2005, offering investors just 34 cents-on-the-dollar, approximately $20 billion of the defaulted bonds holders refused to accept the terms and turned to the courts for resolution. What followed was a decade-long legal battle, overseen by Judge Thomas P. Griesa of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, who grew increasingly frustrated … Read more