Presiding

Trailblazer in the Courtroom: Sacramento’s First Black Presiding Judge Reflects on Her Journey at Judge of the Year Ceremony

by

Sacramento, California – Presiding Judge Bunmi O. Awoniyi of the Sacramento County Superior Court reflected on her groundbreaking role as the first Black person to lead the court during a recent awards ceremony. While accepting the Judge of the Year Award from the Sacramento County Bar Association, Awoniyi addressed her reluctance to focus on the significance of her position amidst a sensitive social climate. During her remarks, Awoniyi emphasized the importance of her personal journey, noting that her achievements extend beyond her own experience. She articulated a deeper message about representation and the collective significance … Read more

Joshua Calvin Devine Elected as New Presiding Judge of Missouri’s 13th Judicial Circuit

by

Columbia, Missouri – In a unanimous decision by the judges of the 13th judicial circuit of mid-Missouri, Circuit Judge Joshua Calvin Devine has been named the presiding judge of the circuit, encompassing Boone and Callaway counties. This appointment marks a significant transition in regional judicial leadership as Judge Devine steps into a role previously held by Judge Brouck Jacobs. Judge Devine, who begins his two-year term as presiding judge effective immediately, inherits a role that demands significant leadership in the judicial process within the mid-Missouri area. Judge Jacobs, who chose not to seek a third … Read more

Federal Judge Connected to Pfizer Executive Not Presiding Over High-Profile Murder Trial

by

New York, NY — Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old man, faces multiple murder and stalking charges following his alleged involvement in the shooting death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. In addition to federal charges, Mangione is confronting state murder and terror allegations in New York and charges in Pennsylvania, where authorities arrested him on December 9. Amidst this high-profile legal battle, a swirl of controversy has emerged concerning the judge overseeing Mangione’s federal pretrial hearings. Social media users have raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest, suggesting that the judge’s marriage to a former … Read more

Republican-Appointed Judge Denounces Trump’s Attacks on Judge Presiding Over Hush Money Trial, Warns of Threats to Rule of Law

by

Washington, D.C. – A federal judge appointed by a Republican president condemned Donald Trump’s social media attacks against the judge presiding over the former president’s hush money trial in Manhattan. The judge, Reggie B. Walton, called these attacks on the rule of law “troubling” and warned that they could incite violence and threaten democracy. In a live interview with CNN, Judge Walton emphasized the importance of protecting judges and their families from threats. The judge’s public statement came after Trump criticized New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan and his daughter, Loren Merchan, falsely attributing … Read more