Top National Non-Partisan Trial Lawyer Groups Back Chief Justice’s Defense of Independent Judiciary

By: Tim Tomasik

In response to President Trump’s recent criticism of a federal judge as “an Obama judge”, Chief Justice Roberts of the United States Supreme Court said it better than most ever could:

"We do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges. What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them. That independent judiciary is something we should all be thankful for."

In America, the separation of powers between our three branches of government has kept our democracy intact and flourishing for nearly two and a half centuries. American democracy has never been perfect--the rights originally granted by our Constitution were not extended to all--but tireless efforts by generations of diverse Americans dedicating themselves to rooting out injustice has made our democracy more inclusive, more representative, and more just. 

Justice Roberts' statement, and those issued in support across the internet, reflects the importance of an apolitical judiciary. Judges who can listen, analyze, and rule on contentious issues without the threat of partisan backlash have, and will continue to be, the backbone of our democracy. Men and women of all backgrounds (white, black, brown, gay, straight) take the bench each day and work to ensure that certain inalienable rights, granted to us not because of the color of our skin or our political affiliation, but as Americans, are protected. 

Tomasik Kotin Kasserman’s partners are members of non-political organizations comprised of the leading trial lawyers in the United States, including the American Board of Trial Advocates, of which Tim Tomasik is President-Elect of ABOTA Illinois. TKK cannot understate its backing of ABOTA, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and other professional organizations' statements in support of Chief Justice John Roberts.