An Interview with Chief Justice Mullins and His Vision of Judicial Independence

In the March/April 2025 issue of CT Lawyer Magazine, Connecticut Bar Association President and Pullman & Comley Litigation attorney James (Tim) Shearin engages in a thoughtful interview with Connecticut Supreme Court Chief Justice Raheem L. Mullins, exploring the state of judicial independence and the legal community’s role in strengthening the rule of law.

Through Tim’s questions, Chief Justice Mullins emphasizes the critical importance of the judiciary as the counter-majoritarian branch of government, safeguarding the system of checks and balances foundational to American democracy. He explains that the rule of law is threatened when court orders are ignored or judges face intimidation and disinformation. “The stock and trade and the power of the Judicial Branch is the respect it holds in society; it is its integrity,” Chief Justice Mullins states, underscoring that this respect is vital since courts do not have enforcement power beyond public trust.

In response to Tim’s inquiries about public understanding of the courts, Chief Justice Mullins highlights the role of civic education. “We have a civics program where our judges and lawyers visit schools, usually the sixth grade, to speak about the rule of law and why it is important,” he explains. “We need to do more to get out into the community and make sure everyone appreciates the importance that the Judicial Branch plays in society.”

Chief Justice Mullins emphasizes the important role that lawyers play in supporting public confidence in the judiciary. “They can and have an ability to speak in a way that we do not,” he explains, referring to members of the legal profession. "Lawyers have the ability to set the record straight and, in a sense, advocate.” By doing so, he adds, “I think that does strengthen or help strengthen the rule of law because lawyers are a party of upholding the rule of law.”

To read the full article, please click here.