In a recent development, a federal judicial panel has cleared two judges involved in a high-profile boycott of Columbia University law clerks. This decision marks a significant moment in a controversy stemming from a May declaration by 13 judges, including U.S. Circuit Judge Elizabeth Branch and U.S. District Judge Tilman Self.
The judges’ boycott was in direct response to Columbia University’s handling of student protests related to the Gaza conflict. The letter, signed by the judges, labeled Columbia as an “incubator of bigotry” and criticized its campus climate. They vowed not to hire Columbia graduates as clerks starting with the class of 2024.
The 11th Circuit Judicial Council, in an order dated August 12, supported Chief U.S. Circuit Judge William Pryor’s decision to dismiss the misconduct complaint against Branch and Self. The complaint had alleged that the judges’ actions constituted inappropriate partisan behavior and violated principles of individual rights.
Judge Pryor defended the judges’ right to assess the educational quality of law schools when considering clerk applications, noting that such evaluations are part of a judge’s role. This ruling follows a similar decision by the 5th Circuit Judicial Council, which also dismissed complaints against other signatories of the boycott letter.
The controversy also saw Judge Daniel Traynor from North Dakota reject calls to recuse himself from a case involving Columbia Law School, further highlighting the ongoing debates surrounding judicial impartiality and institutional boycotts.
