On October 30th, 2025, the State Democracy Research Initiative hosted a panel discussion: “Judging in State Appellate Courts.” This panel highlighted the important and often overlooked role of state intermediate appellate court judges in our legal system. The discussion included topics such as the application and development of precedent in intermediate courts; the courts’ caseload, dockets, and decision-making practices; and how intermediate courts interact with state supreme courts and trial courts.
Panelists included Judge Elizabeth Bentley (Minnesota Court of Appeals), Judge Brian Blanchard (Wisconsin Court of Appeals), President Judge Emerita Mary Hannah Leavitt (Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court), and Chief Justice Rebeca Martinez (Texas Court of Appeals). This panel was moderated by Professor Miriam Seifter (University of Wisconsin Law School).
