In February, the Center for Judicial Events & Clerkships (CJEC) welcomed Judge J. Michelle Childs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit as its 2025 Distinguished Jurist in Residence. The centerpiece of her visit was a lecture exploring the historical role of the D.C. Circuit, commonly referred to as the “second-highest court of the land,” and its distinctive docket, which primarily deals with administrative law and constitutional law.
“We are often called to address questions relating to the structure of our government, separation of powers, federal employees and officers, and national security,” Judge Childs said. “These cases require us to think carefully, not only about the specific parties to a case, but also about the impact a particular ruling may have on the country as a whole.”
Judge Childs’ visit was a significant part of the CJEC’s Distinguished Jurist in Residence Program, which brings prominent judges from across the country to Fordham Law. These visiting jurists, including Judge Childs, not only share their expertise but also present lectures on timely and important legal topics, which are subsequently published in the Fordham Law Review, enriching our legal community with their insights.
During her day-long visit, Judge Childs immersed herself in the life of the Law School. She co-taught a Legislation & Regulation class with Professor James Brudney, Joseph Crowley Chair in Labor & Employment Law and CJEC faculty director. The class focused on statutory interpretation issues, providing students with a unique opportunity to learn from Judge Childs’ expertise. She also interacted with cohorts of student leaders from various organizations over coffee and lunch, and informally discussed the latest legal developments with Dean Joseph Landau and other faculty members.
Judge Childs’ lecture, titled “A Distinctive Court: A Glimpse into the History and Significance of the D.C. Circuit,” provided unique and invaluable insight into the inner workings of the D.C. Circuit and the court’s unparalleled role in addressing issues of national significance. Afterwards, Judge Childs observed about her time at Fordham: “It was a wonderful opportunity to engage with students from various affinity groups about their interest in future careers and with the faculty about cutting-edge legal topics and the future of the profession.”
After having the opportunity to interact with Judge Childs during her visit, Dawid Skalkowski ’26 said, “Judge Childs’ visit reminded me what I appreciate most about the Law School—it’s a community that brings together individuals with different life experiences and viewpoints, and we find productive ways to have a dialogue about today’s most pressing legal issues.”
Feyi Idera ’26 added, “It was an honor to hear from Judge J. Michelle Childs and engage in a thoughtful discussion about her work and experiences. Her story is a testament to perseverance and excellence, and her presence in the legal field is a source of motivation for so many of us.”
“We were so honored to welcome Judge Childs as our Distinguished Jurist in Residence. She was tireless in engaging with our community throughout the day, and the impact of her visit on our community will be long-lasting, said Suzanne M. Endrizzi ’96, assistant dean of the CJEC. “Judge Childs’ brilliance as a jurist is only overshadowed by her warmth and authenticity.”
“During her day at Fordham, Judge Childs shared with us many distinctive qualities of her judicial temperament,” Brudney said. “In addition to a deep knowledge of legal doctrine and principles, she displayed a warm sense of humor and an empathic perspective toward the parties who bring their often-challenging issues and concerns to her court. Through formal interaction and informal engagement in multiple venues, Judge Childs gave our students a splendid object lesson on the virtues of a rule of law approach.”
Since 2020, CJEC has welcomed the following judiciary members as its Distinguished Jurists in Residence: Judges Jeffrey Sutton, Amy St. Eve, Solomon Oliver Jr., Stephen Higginson, Bernice Donald (ret.), and Kent Jordan (ret.). Visit CJEC’s FLASH page for transcripts of past Distinguished Jurist in Residence lectures.
View scenes from the visit below:
