At the 2026 ALI Annual Meeting Wednesday luncheon, the Henry J. Friendly Medal was presented to ALI Director Diane P. Wood (7th Cir.) and J. Harvie Wilkinson III (4th Cir.). Pierre N. Leval (2d Cir.) presented the awards, followed by a discussion moderated by David J. Barron (1st Cir.). The panel reflected on the qualities of effective appellate judging, the value of intellectual humility and collegial decision-making, the importance of precedent, and the challenges facing appellate courts in resolving questions of national significance. The discussion concluded with a thoughtful examination of the Supreme Court’s emergency docket and the institutional role of appellate courts within the federal judiciary.
Henry J. Friendly Medal: J. Harvie Wilkinson III and ALI Director Diane P. Wood (2026)
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