about us-copaju

The purposes of US-COPAJU are to improve the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice by promoting the study and progress of social justice principles and practices with the following objectives: (1) the promotion of the rule of law, judicial independence and impartiality, and the public understanding of the judiciary; (2) the cultivation of an equitable justice system that ensures access to justice for all; (3) the organization of continuing legal education and professional development opportunities for judges and stakeholders of the justice system; (4) the collaboration among judges, law schools, and academicians from multi-disciplines and on local, state, national, and international levels, to improve the exchanges of research, ideas, data, and information; and (5) the facilitation of cooperative systemic changes that enhance the efficacy and fairness of legal systems worldwide, focusing on vulnerable, marginalized, and peripheral communities, through education, dialogue, and the practical and fair applications of social justice principles. 

Board of Directors

Judge Linda Murnane (Chairperson)

Judge Joy Cossich Lobrano (Executive Director)

Judge Nadia Keilani (First Vice-Chairperson)

Judge Marian Gaston (Second Vice-Chairperson)

Judge Lisa Atkinson

Judge Bernadette D’Souza

Judge Pamela Washington

-

Board of Advisors

Judge Tamila Ipema, Senior Advisor

Judge Maria Antongiorgi-Jordan

Judge Orlinda Naranjo

Judge Carmen Velasquez

Judge Michale Pietruszka

-

Administration

Agustina Destin Rossi (Secretary-Treasurer-Translator for Boards, Councils, and Committees)

-

US-COPAJU RESOURCE COUNCILS

Judicial Resource Council

Judge Tam Nomoto Schumann

Legal and Academic Resource Council

Uzma Rahman, Esq.

Professor Raquel Aldana

Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, Bishop of Vescovio and Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (1998-2022)

On August 13, 2023, Pope Francis established the “Committee of Pan American Judges for Social Rights and Franciscan Doctrine (“COPAJU”) as a Private Association of the Faithful of international character in conformity with canons 298-311 and 321-329, erected as a private juridical person within the canonical order, in accordance with canon 322, § 1."  Pope Franics  also made the following appointments for the period 2023-2028: as President of COPAJU, Judge Roberto Andrés Gallardo of the Republic of Argentina; as Vice President Judge Ana Algorta Latorre of the Federative Republic of Brazil; as Secretary, Judge Gustavo Daniel Moreno of the Republic of Argentina; and as members, Judges María Julia Figueredo Vivas of the Republic of Colombia, Tamila Ipema of the United States of America, Daniel Urrutia Laubreaux of the Republic of Chile, and Janet Tello Gilardi of the Republic of Peru.

Prior to Judge Ipema’s official appointment by Pope Francis, in 2020, under the leadership of Judge Ipema, the United States Chapter of COPAJU was formed.  In 2024, US-COPAJU was incorporated under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. The purposes of US-COPAJU are to improve the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice by promoting the study and progress of social justice principles and practices with the following objectives: (1) the promotion of the rule of law, judicial independence and impartiality, and the public understanding of the judiciary; (2) the cultivation of an equitable justice system that ensures access to justice for all; (3) the organization of continuing legal education and professional development opportunities for judges and stakeholders of the justice system; (4) the collaboration among judges, law schools, and academicians from multi-disciplines and on local, state, national, and international levels, to improve the exchanges of research, ideas, data, and information; and (5) the facilitation of cooperative systemic changes that enhance the efficacy and fairness of legal systems worldwide, focusing on vulnerable, marginalized, and peripheral communities, through education, dialogue, and the practical and fair applications of social justice principles. 

The governance of US-COPAJU is through its Board of Directors and Board of Advisors that are composed of sitting judges. The Board of Directors holds the ultimate responsibility for US-COPAJU’s strategic direction, financial status, and overall mission alignment. They ensure that the nonprofit adheres to legal and ethical standards, and they play a crucial role in resource allocation. The Board of Advisors provides specialized knowledge, guidance, and support to the Board of Directors and executive staff. While they do not have formal decision-making power, their expertise and networks can be invaluable in shaping policies, identifying opportunities, and organizing conferences. Together, these boards create a robust governance framework that balances oversight, strategic input, and specialized advice, ensuring that US-COPAJU can effectively pursue its purposes and objectives.  The boards will operate within the boundaries set by the Constitution and Judicial Codes of Conduct, ensuring that no prohibited discussions or activities occur.

The operational efficiency and support structure of US-COPAJU are driven by its executive staff and support, including the Executive Director, Secretary-Treasurer, Judicial Resource Council, Legal and Academic Resource Council, and various committees. The Executive Director acts as the chief executive officer, implementing the board’s strategic vision and managing day-to-day operations. The Secretary-Treasurer oversees financial management, ensuring transparency and accountability in all financial matters.

The Resource Councils are divided into two distinct groups: the Judiciary Resource Council, comprised of sitting judges who are bound by a Judicial Code of Conduct, and the Legal and Academic Resource Council which includes retired judges, attorneys, and academics. These councils offer specialized expertise to enhance US-COPAJU's research initiatives, resource development, and the execution of groundbreaking projects, all aimed at increasing the organization's visibility and forging meaningful partnerships within the global academic and judicial communities.

The Judiciary Resource Council will operate within the boundaries set by the Constitution and Judicial Codes of Conduct, ensuring that no prohibited discussions or activities occur. Meanwhile, the Legal and Academic Resource Council will bring together a broad array of professionals to contribute practical solutions and promote academic excellence, driving US-COPAJU’s social justice research forward in a collaborative environment.

The US-COPAJU Newsletter will serve as a platform to spotlight the innovative work of boards and councils members, including their groundbreaking programs, recent publications, and key speaking engagements. Its purpose is to keep stakeholders informed about the latest developments within the US-COPAJU network, while also promoting the valuable contributions of its members. By sharing these highlights, the newsletter will enhance visibility for US-COPAJU’s initiatives, foster knowledge exchange, and encourage collaboration among global justice and academic communities. The newsletter aims to be a central resource for updates on social justice research and practical solutions, ensuring an ongoing dialogue on relevant issues.