Taking the Bench: An Interactive, Online Course for New Judges – Fall

Tuition

600

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Days & Times

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Weekly Web Conference will take place on Fridays at 11 a.m. Pacific

Course Location

Online

Course Fees

Tuition

$600

Online

October 20, 2025 to November 21, 2025

Online: Faculty-Led

The purpose of this online course is to provide education for judges who have been recently elected or appointed. The course is four weeks in length. Judges spend an average of six to eight hours per week on assignments, and you are required to attend a weekly web conference.

Tuition

Course $600

What will I learn?

During this course, you will learn to:

  • Ascertain how to address issues that judges face in transitioning from the bar to the bench.
  • Describe what new judges can expect to experience in their courtroom.
  • Identify what judges do in chambers that even trial lawyers wouldn’t necessarily be aware of.
  • Define what judges should and should not do in relating to their communities.

Who should attend?

Judges who have been recently elected or appointed.

Who are the members of the faculty?

Faculty are highly experienced judges and experts who bring a wealth of personal experience to their teaching. Faculty includes Judge Augustus Chen, Judge Kristi Harrington (Ret.), Professor Benjamin Holden, Judge David Kimberley (Ret.), and Judge Thomas Zonay.

How is this course taught?

Discussion assignments, writing assignments, reading, video, and weekly live calls with faculty ensure this course is highly interactive, demanding, and educational. It is anticipated that you will spend between six and eight hours on lessons per week, with a total of four weeks of instruction (week three is a break week). On Friday of each week of the course, the faculty will deliver a live hour-long web conference at 11 am Alaska / 12 pm Pacific / 1 pm Mountain / 2 pm Central / 3 pm Eastern.

Whom should I contact for more information?

For more information, please contact the Registrar’s Office at (800) 255-8343 or registrar@judges.org.

This course qualifies for The National Judicial College Certificate in Judicial Development program Administrative Law Adjudication Skills, General Jurisdiction Trial Skills, Special Court Trial Skills and Tribal Judicial Skills disciplines.

Register Now.

The purpose of this online course is to provide education for judges who have been recently elected or appointed. The course is four weeks in length. Judges spend an average of six to eight hours per week on assignments, and you are required to attend a weekly web conference.

Register
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