New Appellate Judges Seminar

The New Appellate Judges Seminar (AJS) at New York University School of Law is designed for judges with no more than four years of experience on federal courts of appeal, state highest courts, and state intermediate courts of appeal. Since its inception in 1956, the IJA New Appellate Judges Seminars have been attended by appellate judges from virtually every state and federal appeals court.

A successful 63rd Annual New Appellate Judges Seminar was held this past July. Hon. Raymond J. Lohier, Jr. '91 of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Dean Troy McKenzie gave welcoming remarks, while U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar delivered the opening address. The success of the seminar is accredited to our dedicated senior judicial faculty and the active participation of the attending judges.

Group photo of AJS participants, faculty, and IJA fellows
AJS 2022 participants, faculty, and IJA fellows                                                              ©Myaskovsky: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau

"A blockbuster experience – revelatory in many ways about approach, difficulties, and methods to address this amazingly difficult and rewarding role. A MUST-DO for any judge new or old (especially new!)."

"This seminar should be a yearly requirement for ALL new appellate judges for their first 3 years on the appellate bench!"

Curriculum: The Seminar is taught by a distinguished faculty of senior appellate judges and law professors. The week combines practical training for new appellate judges such as sessions on appellate process and decision-making, conferencing & collegiality, issues of judicial ethics and independence, chambers management, and opinion editing, with select segments of substantive law, and several informal and interactive small group sharing and discussions. It is very important that program participants attend all sessions and remain through the end of the program.

Location:  The Seminars are typically at NYU School of Law, located in New York City's historic Greenwich Village. 

Travel and Subsistence When Held Live: Each judge is responsible for his or her travel and living expenses though breakfasts and lunches are included in the program days. IJA sends group hotel rate information directly to accepted participants in the program. For help in defraying these expenses, judges should contact the staff responsible for judicial training in their courts.  U.S. Court of Appeals Judges: The Federal Judicial Center will cover certain costs for Article III federal appellate judges. If applicable, please contact Brenda Baldwin-White, Senior Judicial Education Attorney at the Federal Judicial Center.

Entertainment:  The Seminar usually includes an opening dinner and an optional theater event with group discounts organized by IJA. 

AJS 2022 Opening Dinner
Hon. Raymond J. Lohier, Jr. '91 of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit giving welcoming remarks at the opening dinner. ©Giordano: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau

Applications: Because we often receive more applications than we can accept, and we aim for a diverse representation of courts and regions, we regret that we may not be able to accept all interested applicants. We strive to make room for all interested judges within a year of application, if possible. We are no longer receiving applications for 2023. If interested in receiving details and an application for AJS 2024, please contact ija.admin@nyu.edu.

Tuition Fee:  There is a tuition fee for the program, which covers 5-days of instruction, course materials and books, and, when live, the opening dinner and daytime meals throughout the Seminar. For Article III federal appellate judges,  IJA will coordinate tuition directly with the Federal Judicial Center as part of their Orientation for New Federal Appellate Judges. For further information, federal judges may contact Brenda Baldwin-White at the Federal Judicial Center. 

We are confident that the Seminar will provide attending judges with a stimulating, enjoyable, and memorable week. Thank you for your interest.

“ This was truly one of the best “CLE’s” I have ever attended in my 26+ years as a lawyer. Thanks to everyone for all

their efforts in making this such a terrific week.”

“Thank you. This was an extraordinary week and I will sing the praise of this program to new judges in my state (and everywhere).”

“Probably the best MCLE program for judges I have ever attended!"