Judiciary Experts Convene to Discuss Legal Challenges in Digital Age

A distinguished panel of legal experts, including senior judges and professionals from across the legal spectrum, has assembled to address emerging challenges at the intersection of law, technology, and public communication.

Justice Robert J. Torres, Jr. of the Supreme Court of Guam will moderate the discussion. A respected voice on technological issues affecting the judiciary, Torres has served on the Guam Supreme Court since 2004, including two terms as Chief Justice. His extensive international experience includes speaking engagements in more than 20 countries on topics such as judicial ethics and social media. Currently, he serves on the American Judges Association’s Executive Committee and Board of Governors and has been a member of the organization’s Social Media and Technology Committee since 2016.

Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert M. Brutinel brings extensive experience in judicial administration and reform to the panel. Appointed to Arizona’s highest court in 2010 and serving as Chief Justice since 2019, Brutinel has established himself as a leader in judicial governance through his service on the Board of Directors of the Conference of Chief Justices and various committees focused on civil justice reform. His work has earned him national recognition, including being named Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) National Judge of the Year in 2010.

The panel also features Philippa H. Stewart, who leads digital communications at the Clooney Foundation for Justice, an organization dedicated to fighting human rights abuses globally through accountability and advocacy. Stewart’s background in frontline journalism includes work as a freelance reporter and photographer in Ukraine and previous roles as a producer and editor for Al Jazeera. Her perspective brings a critical connection between legal principles and real-world human rights applications in digital spaces.

Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker contributes unparalleled national security expertise to the conversation. Currently a senior consultant to the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Defending Democratic Institutions Project, Parker previously served as General Counsel for both the National Security Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency, as well as Principal Deputy Legal Adviser at the U.S. Department of State. Her experience bridges national security concerns with democratic values, particularly relevant in today’s digital landscape where information security and democratic processes increasingly intersect. Parker also brings an academic perspective from her decade as Dean of the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law.

Rounding out the panel is Leslie C. Levin, the Hugh Macgill Professor of Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law. Levin’s scholarly work focuses on the legal profession, ethical decision-making processes, and attorney discipline systems. She co-edited the influential volume “Lawyers in Practice: Ethical Decision Making in Context” (University of Chicago Press, 2012), which examines how contextual factors influence ethical choices in legal practice.

The assembly of these experts suggests a timely examination of how digital communication platforms and technology are reshaping legal practice, judicial ethics, and the administration of justice. As courts increasingly navigate social media policies, online transparency, and digital evidence issues, guidance from experienced jurists and professionals becomes increasingly valuable.

The convergence of perspectives from the judiciary, international human rights advocacy, national security, and legal ethics provides a comprehensive approach to analyzing the complex challenges facing legal institutions in an era of rapid technological change. The panel appears positioned to address critical questions about maintaining judicial integrity and public trust while adapting to evolving digital landscapes.

This gathering reflects growing recognition within the legal community that traditional approaches to judicial ethics and legal practice must evolve to address the unprecedented challenges and opportunities presented by digital technologies and social media platforms.