Structural Reform and Governance

Courts and Legal Policy

The Courts and Legal Policy team works to advance reforms to make America’s legal system more accessible and just for ordinary people.

A courtroom in Ohio. (Getty/Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge)

What We're Doing

Ensure America's judges reflect its diversity

Despite recent and historic gains, America’s federal judges remain overwhelmingly white and male, and the bench is stacked with those from corporate law backgrounds and former federal prosecutors. Appointing diverse nominees with diverse backgrounds is essential to strengthening the courts.

Modernize the federal bench at all levels

From significant expansion of the lower courts to instituting term limits for Supreme Court justices, it is critical to enact reforms that will ensure that the size of the judiciary and the makeup of the Supreme Court reflect the needs of the American people and the realities of modern life.

Advance access to justice for all people

Too often, justice in America’s courtrooms is only accessible to those with means and in power. The need to expand access to justice has only become more pressing as COVID-19 has exacerbated long-standing legal inequities. All people, regardless of income or status, deserve high-quality legal help.

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Recent Work

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2023 CAP IDEAS Conference Past Event
CAP IDEAS Conference logo

2023 CAP IDEAS Conference

Join the Center for American Progress as we celebrate 20 years of innovative policy solutions and look boldly forward to a progressive future.

People Determine the Reach of the Supreme Court In the News

People Determine the Reach of the Supreme Court

Maggie Jo Buchanan argues that a year after the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the American people have stepped up to protect abortion rights.

DC Journal

Maggie Jo Buchanan

Revelations About Justice Clarence Thomas Reinforce the Need for Justices to Be Bound by an Ethics Code Article
The Supreme Court of the United States.

Revelations About Justice Clarence Thomas Reinforce the Need for Justices to Be Bound by an Ethics Code

Media reports that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted lavish yacht trips and private jet rides without publicly disclosing them underscore the urgent need for Supreme Court justices to be bound by a binding code of ethics just like other federal judges and members of Congress.

Ben Olinsky, Maggie Jo Buchanan, William Roberts

Fixing Our Broken Courts Past Event

Fixing Our Broken Courts

Join CAP and the Brennan Center for Justice a discussion on opportunities for structural reform of the Supreme Court and the courts more generally.

The Supreme Court Must Continue To Provide Live Audio Broadcasts of Oral Arguments Article

The Supreme Court Must Continue To Provide Live Audio Broadcasts of Oral Arguments

The U.S. Supreme Court began offering remote, real-time audio broadcasts of its oral arguments during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it should continue to provide such access upon resuming normal operations.

Stephanie Wylie, Anushree Thekkedath, Clay Cortez, 1 More Erin Mahon

5 Facts About Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Article
Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

5 Facts About Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s exemplary background reflects the Biden administration’s commitment to nominating exceptional judges at every level.

Stephanie Wylie, Genna Cifelli

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