New ABA Center for Civic Engagement, Education and Rule of Law to host inaugural program on civility June 12

June 03, 2026

New ABA Center for Civic Engagement, Education and Rule of Law to host inaugural program on civility June 12

WASHINGTON, June 3, 2026 - The American Bar Association Judicial Division will present the "Order in the Court: Civility in Action," webinar June 12 at 3 p.m. EDT. The program is the first in the Center for Civic Engagement, Education and Rule of Law's "Disagreeing Better" series. The center was launched earlier this year.

The "Disagreeing Better," series is a nonpartisan initiative designed to model and promote how lawyers, judges and legal professionals engage in civil, informed and constructive dialogue and disagreement on important issues.

The 90-minute webinar will feature real-world examples and a candid discussion among judges from different courts and political perspectives on how everyday interactions can strengthen or undermine institutional trust. It will explore how civility and collegiality among judges shape not only internal court dynamics but also the public's perception of fairness and legitimacy.

Panelists include retired Judge David Connors, Utah 2nd Judicial District; Chief Judge Albert Diaz, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit; Judge Jacqueline Nguyen, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit; Judge Daniel Traynor, U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota. Retired Judge Heather Welch, Marion Superior Court, will moderate the session. Opening remarks will be given by Judge James Lockemy, chair, Judicial Division.

ABA President Michelle A. Behnke, who will deliver the welcome address, touted the center's launch during remarks in February at the ABA Midyear Meeting in San Antonio, saying, "We want lawyers to model good discussion and debate, and we want all voices to be part of the discussion."

The Judicial Division is one of seven ABA entities under the ABA Center for Civic Engagement, Education and the Rule of Law.

The center, created to bring together individual ABA practice groups and committees to work collaboratively to increase civic engagement and education and increase efforts to support and defend the rule of law both at home and abroad, continues the work of the ABA Cornerstones Commission, which culminated in the final report in January.

What:
"Order in the Court: Civility in Action" webinar
Sponsored by the ABA Judicial Division

When:
June 12
3-4:30 p.m. EDT

Where:
Webinar

For media registration, contact Betsy Adeboyejo at [email protected].