Cornell Law School’s First Amendment Clinic filed a lawsuit in state court on August 18, 2021, on behalf of veteran New York journalist Janon Fisher seeking records from the New York City’s Office of the Mayor containing information about the qualifications of judicial nominees seeking appointment to influential court seats.
Candidates wishing to be considered for appointment to family, criminal, and civil courts must submit a job application in the form of a completed Uniform Judicial Questionnaire ( to the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on The Judiciary (“MACJ”). The Questionnaire solicits information directly from candidates that is crucial to determining an aspiring judge’s qualifications and includes questions regarding a candidate’s educational attainment, litigation background, client representations, areas of substantive legal expertise, executive experience, and more.
“Transparency is a fundamental feature of democracy and, in particular, the civil and criminal court system. Knowing who sits in judgment of us is crucial to the credibility of our courts,” said Fisher. “When so much about the criminal justice system is being questioned and rethought, the public has the right to know who Mayor de Blasio’s is nominating to the bench and what makes them qualified or unqualified to impartially dispense justice,” he added.
“Janon’s knowledge of New York government is mind-bogglingly comprehensive. He has consistently devoted time and energy to understanding the city’s frustratingly opaque judicial appointment process and we’re so honored to support him in his efforts” says Ava Lubell, Local Journalism Attorney and part of the clinic’s Local Journalism Project.”Understanding the appointment process is crucial to maintaining the public’s trust in the judiciary,” added Lubell. “The public must know more about the MACJ operates and who their finalist candidates for appointment are.”
Fisher is represented by Lubell and Heather Murray, managing attorney of the Clinic’s Local Journalism Project.
The First Amendment Clinic is engaged in a variety of cases and projects advancing the interests of free speech and freedom of the press. The Local Journalism Project addresses the increasing void in legal representation facing newsgatherers and media outlets that would otherwise be precluded from engaging in expensive litigation to defend their rights and ability to do their jobs. The Clinic’s work extends across disciplines, impacting journalists, researchers, human rights advocates, political advocates, and other individuals targeted based on their expression.