In a joint statement, a trial lawyer from Los Angeles and a federal judge from New Jersey have expressed urgent concerns regarding the increasing hostility and threats facing the legal system in the United States.
They assert that if action is not taken soon, the very foundation of democracy could be at risk.
In response to this escalating crisis, they have organized an event called Speak Up for Justice, set for Tuesday.
They emphasize that this is not a conventional conference; it is a pivotal moment that marks a definitive stance against the current climate of fear.
Both men have experienced firsthand the vulnerabilities associated with their professions amid growing hostility.
Political violence has surged recently, underscored by incidents like the arson that targeted Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence last weekend.
The legal community, they argue, is not immune to this phenomenon, as threats against judges and attorneys have become alarmingly common and increasingly perilous.
Court rulings are often dismissed as partisan, while law firms face harassment for fulfilling their roles in the justice system.
Judges are vilified and, in some grievous instances, subjected to violent attacks.
The trial lawyer reflected on a particularly painful personal experience: his son, Daniel, was murdered in 2020 by an individual who sought to intimidate Esther, the trial lawyer’s mother, a judge.
The assailant was incensed by the notion of judicial independence and sought to convey a deadly message.
That horrific event was not isolated; the legal profession continues to witness threats against judges and attorneys across the nation.
Just this month, a disturbing trend has emerged where pizzas were delivered to judges’ homes with threatening messages, some even targeting their children.
Astoundingly, these orders were placed using Daniel’s name, signifying a cruel and calculated form of intimidation.
The duo insists that these incidents are part of a systematic pattern aimed at instilling fear in the legal community and eroding the independence of the courts.
This campaign of intimidation is effective; many legal professionals are increasingly reluctant to speak out in fear for their own safety.
Despite acknowledging the imperfections within the legal system, both individuals have witnessed its potential for good.
This urgency led to the creation of Speak Up for Justice, a forum intended to unify judges, lawyers, advocates, and concerned citizens, urging them to collectively declare: enough is enough.
They call for an end to the threats, harassment, and fear that presently dominate the legal landscape.
The duo stresses that the rule of law is paramount and still stands to protect the vulnerable, resolve disputes, and restrict unchecked power.
This mandate can only prevail if the public retains faith in the courts’ independence and allows legal professionals to operate without fear of fatal repercussions.
Their appeal is not for praise or commendation, but rather for protection and recognition that legal professionals must not be collateral damage in ideological or political conflicts.
Most importantly, they urge the public to genuinely care about the future of the legal system.
This issue transcends individual judges and lawyers; it reflects a broader national commitment to justice as a fundamental process that must be defended and made accessible to everyone.
The appeal is clear: if citizens care about democracy, fairness, and the future environment we will leave for the next generation, they must stand with the speakers.
They encourage the public to share their message and actively push back against the normalization of intimidation and violence in the legal arena.
The trial lawyer and the judge emphasize that this event was not something they wanted to create; it was a necessity born of circumstance.
They continue to seek support from the public, knowing that collective effort is critical to safeguarding the integrity of the legal system.
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