IAALS Announces 2027 Rebuilding Justice Award Recipients
IAALS announced today that Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and U.S. Magistrate Judge Maritza Dominguez Braswell of the District of Colorado will receive its 2027 Rebuilding Justice Award. The two judges are being honored for their leadership in advancing meaningful reforms and helping build a justice system that better serves the people who rely on it.
The annual Rebuilding Justice Award recognizes individuals and groups whose vision, leadership, and commitment to innovation are transforming the American legal system and ensuring everyone has a clear path to justice.
"An independent, fair, and effective judiciary is fundamental to our democracy, and public trust in our courts depends on the people who lead them," said Brittany K.T. Kauffman, CEO of IAALS. "Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby and Judge Dominguez Braswell exemplify the kind of thoughtful, courageous leadership our justice system needs. They recognize that protecting our democratic institutions and improving how those institutions serve people go hand in hand. Their commitment to meaningful change is helping strengthen our courts today while building a stronger justice system for the future."
Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby has served as Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals since 2017 and is a nationally recognized leader in judicial administration and reform. She chairs the national AI Governance And Ethics Workgroup of the Thompson Reuters Institute and National Center for State Courts AI Consortium. A former president of the Conference of Chief Justices, she chairs the national Committee on Public Trust and Confidence in State Courts and has championed efforts to expand access to justice, strengthen public confidence in the judiciary, and advance regulatory reform.
"Public trust in the judiciary is earned through our actions and our commitment to serving everyone fairly," said Chief Judge Blackburne-Rigsby. "We must continually examine how our courts operate, listen to the communities we serve, and find ways to make justice more accessible and effective. I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from IAALS and to be part of a shared commitment to strengthening our justice system."
Judge Dominguez Braswell, a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of Colorado, is helping courts navigate the opportunities and challenges of emerging technologies. She co-launched the Judicial AI Consortium, a national forum of more than 400 judges, co-chairs the District of Colorado's AI Committee, and teaches an AI design sprint at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Her work emphasizes the thoughtful use of technology to improve the delivery of justice while preserving fairness, accountability, and public trust.
"Emerging technologies are creating new opportunities to rethink how our courts operate and to make justice more accessible," said Judge Dominguez Braswell. "By collaborating and approaching these opportunities with curiosity and care, we can build a judiciary that is better equipped to meet the needs of the people who rely on it. This award is a meaningful reminder that challenging assumptions changes what's possible."
Both judges will be honored at IAALS' 19th Annual Rebuilding Justice Award Dinner on April 8, 2027, in Denver, Colorado. The event will also recognize the recipient of the Alli Gerkman Legal Visionary Award, which celebrates emerging leaders bringing bold ideas and fresh perspectives to legal system reform. The 2027 recipient will be announced in January.
Discover more about the event, including sponsorship opportunities, here.
