Message from the Honorable Judges Lanham and Bachus from the District of Arizona:
Greetings,
You may recall that for many years, Chief Judge Murguia hosted the popular CourtWorks program at the Phoenix courthouse. We are delighted to announce that CourtWorks is back! In conjunction with the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, local schools, and with the support of the Federal Bar Association Phoenix Chapter, we will be hosting the 16th year of this impactful program. We thank the FBA Phoenix Chapter for its generous support of this program! The Chapter’s membership always played an integral role in the success of the program, and we invite FBA members to join us this year.
As you may recall, CourtWorks is designed to introduce 7th and 8th grade students to the judicial system and provide insight into career paths within the courts. It also serves as another way for us to bring the community into our courthouse, which is vital to our District Court’s role within our democracy.
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
The children will participate in a mock trial in the morning from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 10:20 a.m. We are seeking five attorney volunteers for each of the 11 courtrooms reserved for those mock trials. Each attorney will sit beside a “student attorney” or “student judge” and help them with their role during the mock trial. After the mock trials are done, the students will gather in the jury assembly room, where they will hear from Chief Judge Murguia and court staff about the vital roles they fulfill in the justice system. Attorney volunteers are welcome to stay for the assembly, but that is completely optional.
Prior to the day of CourtWorks, the students will have worked with ASU law students to prepare, and attorneys will be provided with a brief packet of materials to review in preparation for the day. Therefore, the time commitment for CourtWorks is limited to the day of the event, and whatever time attorneys wish to spend reading the packet in advance of the day.
To thank you for your participation, and to provide you with a more thorough overview of the event and details of your role, we will be holding a volunteer luncheon on Friday, October 24, 2025, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the jury assembly room of the SDO courthouse. Lunch will be provided by the Phoenix FBA Chapter, and we are grateful for the Chapter’s generosity. We will review the information in the packet with you as well. You do not have to attend the lunch to volunteer on November 14.
If you are interested in volunteering, please notify Michele Morgan at AZD_Outreach@azd.uscourts.gov. Thank you in advance for supporting this worthwhile program!
Sincerely,
Krissa M. Lanham, U.S. District Judge
Alison S. Bachus, U.S. Magistrate Judge
