At the end of June, Stephen Skinner traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to attend a very important and special event: the 82nd Judicial Conference of the Fourth Circuit. This meeting invites federal judges, magistrate judges, and selected lawyers from across the region. The conference aims to bring everyone together to discuss how the court system operates, identify areas for improvement, and review recent legal changes.
The Fourth Circuit covers five states: West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Attendees from across the states gathered to hear speakers, join panels, and share ideas to better serve the public.
One of the biggest moments of the weekend was hearing from Chief Justice John Roberts of the United States Supreme Court. As the keynote speaker, he sat down for a question-and-answer session with Chief Judge Albert Diaz Jr. of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
During the talk, Chief Justice Roberts spoke about the dangers of vitriol aimed at judges. He warned that criticizing judges can incite threats and actual violence; he stressed that judges must be allowed to do their jobs without being targeted.
Additionally, he shared a funny story. The Supreme Court had just issued its final opinions, and he joked that the justices, like many lawyers, procrastinate. He said the end of the term is always a busy and stressful time.
For Stephen, the trip to Charlotte was full of great conversations and new ideas. He caught up with long-time acquaintances and met new lawyers and judges from across the region. Ultimately, “My quick trip to Charlotte gave me plenty of inspiration – I’m so glad I went,” he said.
He came back with a better understanding of the different viewpoints people bring to the legal system and felt energized by the experience. Attending conferences like this one helps keep lawyers and judges connected, informed, and ready to serve their communities in the best way possible.
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