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The Honorable John Walker, Senior Judge from the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals

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The Honorable John Walker, Senior Judge from the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals

International Conference on Judicial Independence and Legal Education

July 18-19, 2008

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative, in cooperation with the Supreme Court of Georgia, hosted an international conference on judicial independence and legal education, in Tbilisi, on July 18-19. Ambassador John Tefft warmly greeted the participants on the first day. Participants and speakers included the Chairman of the Supreme Court, Konstantin Kublashvili; President of the Constitutional Court, Giorgi Papaushvili; judges from Germany, Norway, Estonia, Romania, the United States and throughout Georgia; the Deans from two American law schools; and numerous other dignitaries and leaders from the Georgian judiciary and law faculties. The keynote speaker on both days was the Honorable John Walker, Senior Judge from the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals, who emphasized the importance of judicial independence in an emerging democracy, as well as the need for strong legal education and accreditation of law school programs. There were numerous presentations and panel discussions addressing the successes and challenges facing both the judiciary and law faculties as they strive to meet international standards.

Complete text of Judge Walker's speech