On November 14, 2019, the Federalist Society's Litigation Practice Group hosted a panel for the 2019 National Lawyers Convention at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The title of the panel was "Is It Time to End Life Tenure for Federal Judges?".
The framers of our Constitution jealously guarded the independence of federal judges, and the principal means they selected for doing so was to confer life tenure upon them. But a great deal has changed since then. At the time of the founding, federal judges were not alone: most state judges enjoyed life tenure as well. But now, federal judges are almost entirely alone—not only in the United States, but in the world—in this respect. In addition, life expectancies are vastly longer today than they were two hundred years ago. Finally, the process for selecting federal judges has arguably become more politicized than ever before—and some point to life tenure as the reason. Recent polls show that over 75% of Americans want to end life tenure.
Is it time to end life tenure? Are there ways to end it that do not require a constitutional amendment? Our panelists will debate these important and timely questions.
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As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speakers.
Featuring:

Dr. Norman J. Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute and Chairman, Campaign Legal Center
Prof. James E. Pfander, Owen L. Coon Professor of Law, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
Ms. Carrie Severino, Chief Counsel and Policy Director, Judicial Crisis Network
Hon. David R. Stras, Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Mr. Stuart Taylor, Jr., Journalist and Author
Moderator: Hon. William H. Pryor, Jr., Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit