WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, working in partnership with the Presidential Precinct, is proud to welcome the inaugural cohort of the Judicial Fellowship Program to the United States.
This diverse group of 20 fellows hails from 13 countries across five regions, including five participants from Ukraine. The cohort comprises federal magistrates, supreme court judges, and legal educators. From October 2-16, participants will engage in immersive workshops and interactive sessions on critical topics such as judicial independence, human rights, and anti-corruption measures.
“Rule of law matters to all of us, including businesses. Countries with a strong commitment to the law experience higher economic growth, greater peace, and stronger communities,” said Michael Carney, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “We developed this program out of concern about consistent declines in global rule-of-law measures and with the belief that these fellows will strengthen their home countries, while serving as an example for jurists around the world.”
Toyosi Ogunseye, president & CEO of the Presidential Precinct, added, “we are so pleased to partner with the U.S. Chamber Foundation on this groundbreaking initiative. These fellows were chosen from an incredibly competitive application pool, and we have prepared a program that will inspire innovative solutions to some of our world’s most pressing judicial challenges. We have much to learn from one another.”
Participants will engage in interactive sessions and visit key historic U.S. legal institutions, gaining comprehensive insights into the U.S. judicial system. The 2024 program features activities in Washington, D.C., and Virginia:
- October 2-7 in Washington, DC: Fellows will explore the federal court system, meet legal experts, and visit landmark institutions such as the U.S. Supreme Court.
- October 8-11 in Charlottesville: Fellows will study U.S. jurisprudence and constitutional law, with visits to historic sites including James Madison's Montpelier.
- October 12-15 in Williamsburg: While immersed in historic surroundings, fellows will focus on court administration and judicial best practices at William & Mary and the National Center for State Courts.
Olena Kibenko, a Supreme Court judge and professor from Ukraine, shared, “Judges teach judges. So, we must teach each other and learn from each other. Through this opportunity, I also want to develop my skills to communicate with judges from different countries and to learn how they try to find solutions for their problems in their home countries.”
“We get to experience and share our experiences so we can all strengthen the rule of law all over the world,” added Viktor Bratasyuk, a district court judge from Ukraine.
“The program will show how the rule of law can be achieved and upheld in many different contexts,” said Duy Nghia Pham, a professor and arbitrator from Vietnam. “I believe in the courts as reliable institutions, even for the most vulnerable, and we have many methods to learn from one another as we seek to protect that.”
The Judicial Fellowship Program is designed to develop leaders who are committed to maintaining fair and just legal systems. Participants will return home with the skills and knowledge to create stronger legal frameworks that support economic growth and social stability.
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About The Presidential Precinct
The Presidential Precinct engages and inspires emerging leaders to address the most pressing challenges in their countries. We seek to draw out the best from these leaders through professional fellowships, leadership exchanges, global forums, and virtual resources with six primary areas of focus: women’s empowerment, economic opportunity, good governance, human rights and justice, cultural heritage, and civic engagement. Over 1,400 leaders from more than 170 countries have joined the Presidential Precinct’s programs and returned home to invest their knowledge, expertise, and networks to transform the lives of millions worldwide.
Meet the Fellows
