The “Open World” program in the judicial sector is implemented by the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL), which operates under the U.S. Congress. An international conference of alumni of this program was held in Ulaanbaatar last June. The event was co-organized by the Supreme Court of Mongolia, the Judicial General Council, the Judicial Academy, and the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia under the theme “Judicial Independence and Digitalization”.
Over 40 judges and legal professionals from more than 10 countries, including the United States, Armenia, Estonia, Indonesia, and Serbia, participated in the conference. We spoke with the conference’s guest of honor, U.S. Federal Magistrate Judge Suzanne Mitchell.
-Thank you for visiting our country. Have you been to Mongolia before? If this is your first visit, what are your impressions of our country?
-This is my first—though hopefully not my last—visit to Mongolia. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I shared the news with friends and colleagues, many told me that Ulaanbaatar is high on their list of places to visit. I can now see why! The hospitality has been extraordinary, and visiting in June is ideal for enjoying the city’s many outdoor activities.
-We are delighted to have a U.S. Magistrate Judge visit our country. Could you share what a typical day in your work looks like? Also, why did you choose to become a judge?
-My workdays vary month to month. My colleagues and I rotate ‘criminal duty,’ during which we handle all search warrants, arrests, and preliminary criminal matters. On those days, I’m often in court or reviewing documents, sometimes late into the evening. When not on duty, I focus on my civil docket, which includes social security appeals, prisoner litigation, employment cases, jail death cases, and other civil matters. I also conduct judicial settlement conferences, similar to mediations, which often take a full day or more. Since most federal civil cases (90% or more) settle before trial, well-timed settlement conferences are essential.
The United States maintains strong safeguards to ensure judicial independence, including lifetime tenure for federal judges, protection against salary reduction, and clear ethical standards that limit outside employment and affiliations.
Beyond the courtroom, I serve on the Board of the Federal Judicial Center—the U.S. Judiciary’s education and research arm—where I help train new and experienced magistrate judges. I also serve on a couple of other law-related boards and committees. I’m also passionate about civics education. The week I return, I’ll host a dozen high schoolers for our 'High School Court Camp,' which includes observing proceedings, meeting court personnel, and participating in mock hearings. Though demanding, these efforts are deeply rewarding.
-I have read a bit about your professional background. I understand that you serve as the President of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, is that correct? Could you tell us more about the activities of this club?
-Yes, I currently serve as President of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City—the second-largest Rotary Club in the world. Our club supports The Rotary Foundation and provides over $250,000 annually to local and global projects through domestic and Global Grants. In addition to an annual flagship project, we engage in hands-on service, youth leadership and exchange programs, and RYLA. Our club is especially valued for fostering fellowship and leadership connections.
My term ends June 30, 2025, and it has been an honor to serve. We hold weekly luncheons featuring prominent speakers from government, business, education, health care, sports, and nonprofits. Our guiding motto, “Service Above Self,” along with the Four-Way Test, shaped this year’s focus on promoting civics education and civil dialogue. I hope this spirit of truth, fairness, goodwill, and mutual benefit shone through our work.
While in Mongolia, I met the Rotary Club of Ulaanbaatar’s President-Elect, Khulan Dashpuntsag, who assumes leadership on July 1, 2025. She is impressive and has ambitious plans. I was particularly inspired by the club’s projects promoting inclusivity for children with disabilities and expanding access to essential medical equipment in underserved regions.
-In our country, judicial independence is highly emphasized. Therefore, judges have limited opportunities to take on additional jobs or hold positions in other organizations. How is judicial independence maintained in your country?
-We too have limited opportunities to earn income outside of the judiciary and any position must be approved. For example, a judge might teach a class at a law school or university, but I am limited in the amount of outside income I can receive.
The United States maintains strong safeguards to ensure judicial independence, including lifetime tenure for federal judges, protection against salary reduction, and clear ethical standards that limit outside employment and affiliations.
-In your presentation, you mentioned the effective use of artificial intelligence and the considerations that come with it. You gave an example of a lawyer using AI to gather evidence, which was intriguing. Could you elaborate on this example? How is AI being utilized in the U.S. judicial system?
-AI is widely used in U.S. legal research tools like LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law, and Westlaw. In complex litigation, parties use Technology-Assisted Review (TAR) to manage large volumes of documents. TAR assists with document review, early case assessment, due diligence, and internal investigations.
Courts are still developing standards for generative AI in filings and evidence. A proposed rule change would require AI-generated evidence to meet the same reliability standards as expert testimony.
Generative AI tools are also used for privilege review, transcript summarization, legal research, and deposition preparation. However, risks such as bias, data privacy, intellectual property concerns, and deepfakes remain. Mitigation strategies include using digital signatures, deepfake detection, and ongoing rule updates. As Judge Allison Goddard emphasized at the COIL Alumni Conference, keeping a human in the loop is essential to ensure responsible AI use.
-I enjoy watching short clips of Judge Frank Caprio's court sessions in Providence, USA. I wondered if there are privacy concerns or objections from participants when these recordings are made public. Is it common to publicly broadcast court session recordings in the U.S.?
-Judge Caprio has indeed captivated a global audience! In the U.S., court practices differ between state and federal systems. Many state courts allow live video broadcasts, while federal courts generally prohibit cameras in the courtroom. Some federal civil or bankruptcy non-trial proceedings may be streamed via audio, but only when no witness is testifying.
As court proceedings are typically public, media and observers are welcome to attend. The federal judiciary has a clear policy prohibiting video recording in the courtroom. You can find this policy at: https://www.uscourts.gov/administration-policies/judiciary-policies/cameras-courtroom-policy.
While privacy concerns are paramount, broadcasting court proceedings can also enhance transparency and public trust. I’ve learned from this conference how frequently court sessions are broadcast in other countries, and how this approach can work to balance public access with individual rights.
-In our country, there are often misunderstandings between the judiciary and journalists. How do the courts and media organizations collaborate in the U.S.? How do courts communicate case decisions to the public?
-In the U.S., case decisions are public and accessible, allowing media outlets to report independently. Courts do not collaborate with the media but provide information as where appropriate upon request. Because filings and proceedings are typically public, journalists can access original documents and interpret them. Courts rarely comment on pending matters, reducing the chance of misunderstandings.
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, hosting dinners, walking my dogs, listening to music and podcasts, reading — and of course supporting the OKC Thunder, who will play game 7 of seven for the championship this weekend! These hobbies help me recharge and maintain perspective.
-How do you compare the judicial system of Mongolia with that of the U.S.? What differences, strengths, and weaknesses do you see? What recommendations would you give to the Mongolian judicial system?
-During my brief visit, I’ve come to admire the dedication of the Mongolian judiciary. They are tasked to wear many hats, serving on committees, training practitioners and judges, and professionally speaking in addition to a demanding day job. I was especially impressed by the recent proactive efforts to reduce pretrial detention rates, while acknowledging such changes take some time to percolate through the system. Similarly, plea bargains became acceptable in Mongolia fairly recently, which can reduce the trial dockets for busy criminal judges. In the U.S, we have robust plea bargaining and alternative dispute resolution options. As a result, few cases (under ten percent) go to a federal jury or bench trial.
The U.S. has both state and federal court systems, with federal courts having limited jurisdiction. Judicial selection varies: some state judges are elected, while federal judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Federal judges serve for life unless they choose to retire or take senior status. United States Magistrate Judges such as myself are chosen through a rigorous merit-selection process for renewable eight-year terms.
Both nations invest in research and education—such as the Federal Judicial Center in the U.S. and the Mongolian Bar Association. I’ve learned that the Mongolian Supreme Court recently reformed how it considers cases, including precedential value, which is a major step.
At bottom, I find Mongolia’s openness and commitment to transparency particularly admirable. Public confidence in the judiciary is a shared challenge, but transparency helps strengthen it. I am optimistic that both of our systems will continue to evolve and gain increased trust.
-The inaugural COIL alumni conference was held in Ulaanbaatar. I understand you are an alumnus of this program. Could you share your thoughts on the significance and outcomes of this program? Also, please share your opinions and evaluations of the inaugural alumni conference held in our country.
-I’ve served as host coordinator for COIL Open World programs for nearly 20 years, welcoming rule of law delegations from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and Mongolia. Through the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, we offer home stays and a full professional schedule. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed connecting with the individuals we have hosted in our home and come away from the week with a renewed sense of optimism in the future’s leaders in visiting delegation’s judiciary.
The conference’s focus on court digitization brought to the fore the diverse challenges each judiciary has in providing better access to the courts and its filings, preserving privacy interests, and increasing efficiencies. Certainly, maintaining the cybersecurity of a court system remains of heightened concern, and will continue to do so. The impact of generative AI is developing exponentially. I took away a shared interest in becoming completely paperless and mobile, while understanding every judiciary faces its own demands. But the sharing of ideas, successes, and failures led to educational discussions that can only be shared at a well-run and thoughtfully planned conference such as this one.
The alumni conference in Ulaanbaatar also demonstrated the COIL program’s lasting impact. Alumni spoke fondly of their host families and have maintained strong ties. These exchanges deepen understanding and empathy and help identify improvements in both systems. I thank Mongolia for hosting this momentous conference and bring alumni together. This is a program unlike any other, and I look forward to the next gathering of brilliant COIL jurists!
-If possible, could you share an example of a case you have handled that has left a lasting impression on you?
-For a decade, I presided over the Court Assisted Recovery Effort (CARE) Reentry Court, a program for individuals with substance abuse issues on supervised release after serving prison time. Participation is voluntary, and in addition to standard supervision requirements, participants must participate in community service, therapy, and biweekly court appearances. The enticement for a participant is that upon completion of the program, the term of supervision is typically reduced if not ended. The program has four phases and lasts at least a year. For many from disadvantaged backgrounds, to receive public acknowledgments of successes from our team of judges, prosecutions, probation officers, public defenders, and treatment providers marks an enormous accomplishment. And to receive a standing ovation upon graduation is often the first public recognition of such a success.
I certainly hope I am able to return to Mongolia — I know there’s a lot more ground to cover, people to reconnect with, and topics I’d love to learn more about.
One participant, a woman with a history of abuse and a conviction in a major drug case, struggled but eventually succeeded. She found stable housing, employment, regained custody of her children, and maintained her sobriety. Her transformation was extraordinary, and she now returns to speak to current participants. Programs like this show the court’s potential to support lasting change and to celebrate the successes of those who battle addiction.
-Additionally, how do you balance your work as a judge with your personal life, interests, and hobbies?
-I’m fortunate to have an incredibly supportive family. We have four grown children, who seem to find amusement in how busy their parents remain. While I stay active, I try not to commit to roles unless I can devote the necessary time. I regularly speak to students, attorneys, and community groups about the judiciary. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, hosting dinners, walking my dogs, listening to music and podcasts, reading — and of course supporting the OKC Thunder, who will play game 7 of seven for the championship this weekend! These hobbies help me recharge and maintain perspective.
I certainly hope I am able to return to Mongolia — I know there’s a lot more ground to cover, people to reconnect with, and topics I’d love to learn more about.
I must put in a plug for https://judiciariesworldwide.fjc.gov, which is a comparative law resource my colleague Mira Al-Gurie and her assistant have developed over the past few years. It’s a phenomenal work in progress, providing easy access to various facets about differences in court systems, legal practices, and traditions. Given our visit to Ulaanbaatar, the section in Mongolia will undergo some changes as our local experts will contribute and help expand and update the page.
We thank you for your hospitality and culture we have been able to enjoy.
The “Open World” program in the judicial sector is implemented by the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL), which operates under the U.S. Congress. An international conference of alumni of this program was held in Ulaanbaatar last June. The event was co-organized by the Supreme Court of Mongolia, the Judicial General Council, the Judicial Academy, and the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia under the theme “Judicial Independence and Digitalization”.
Over 40 judges and legal professionals from more than 10 countries, including the United States, Armenia, Estonia, Indonesia, and Serbia, participated in the conference. We spoke with the conference’s guest of honor, U.S. Federal Magistrate Judge Suzanne Mitchell.
-Thank you for visiting our country. Have you been to Mongolia before? If this is your first visit, what are your impressions of our country?
-This is my first—though hopefully not my last—visit to Mongolia. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I shared the news with friends and colleagues, many told me that Ulaanbaatar is high on their list of places to visit. I can now see why! The hospitality has been extraordinary, and visiting in June is ideal for enjoying the city’s many outdoor activities.
-We are delighted to have a U.S. Magistrate Judge visit our country. Could you share what a typical day in your work looks like? Also, why did you choose to become a judge?
-My workdays vary month to month. My colleagues and I rotate ‘criminal duty,’ during which we handle all search warrants, arrests, and preliminary criminal matters. On those days, I’m often in court or reviewing documents, sometimes late into the evening. When not on duty, I focus on my civil docket, which includes social security appeals, prisoner litigation, employment cases, jail death cases, and other civil matters. I also conduct judicial settlement conferences, similar to mediations, which often take a full day or more. Since most federal civil cases (90% or more) settle before trial, well-timed settlement conferences are essential.
The United States maintains strong safeguards to ensure judicial independence, including lifetime tenure for federal judges, protection against salary reduction, and clear ethical standards that limit outside employment and affiliations.
Beyond the courtroom, I serve on the Board of the Federal Judicial Center—the U.S. Judiciary’s education and research arm—where I help train new and experienced magistrate judges. I also serve on a couple of other law-related boards and committees. I’m also passionate about civics education. The week I return, I’ll host a dozen high schoolers for our 'High School Court Camp,' which includes observing proceedings, meeting court personnel, and participating in mock hearings. Though demanding, these efforts are deeply rewarding.
-I have read a bit about your professional background. I understand that you serve as the President of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, is that correct? Could you tell us more about the activities of this club?
-Yes, I currently serve as President of the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City—the second-largest Rotary Club in the world. Our club supports The Rotary Foundation and provides over $250,000 annually to local and global projects through domestic and Global Grants. In addition to an annual flagship project, we engage in hands-on service, youth leadership and exchange programs, and RYLA. Our club is especially valued for fostering fellowship and leadership connections.
My term ends June 30, 2025, and it has been an honor to serve. We hold weekly luncheons featuring prominent speakers from government, business, education, health care, sports, and nonprofits. Our guiding motto, “Service Above Self,” along with the Four-Way Test, shaped this year’s focus on promoting civics education and civil dialogue. I hope this spirit of truth, fairness, goodwill, and mutual benefit shone through our work.
While in Mongolia, I met the Rotary Club of Ulaanbaatar’s President-Elect, Khulan Dashpuntsag, who assumes leadership on July 1, 2025. She is impressive and has ambitious plans. I was particularly inspired by the club’s projects promoting inclusivity for children with disabilities and expanding access to essential medical equipment in underserved regions.
-In our country, judicial independence is highly emphasized. Therefore, judges have limited opportunities to take on additional jobs or hold positions in other organizations. How is judicial independence maintained in your country?
-We too have limited opportunities to earn income outside of the judiciary and any position must be approved. For example, a judge might teach a class at a law school or university, but I am limited in the amount of outside income I can receive.
The United States maintains strong safeguards to ensure judicial independence, including lifetime tenure for federal judges, protection against salary reduction, and clear ethical standards that limit outside employment and affiliations.
-In your presentation, you mentioned the effective use of artificial intelligence and the considerations that come with it. You gave an example of a lawyer using AI to gather evidence, which was intriguing. Could you elaborate on this example? How is AI being utilized in the U.S. judicial system?
-AI is widely used in U.S. legal research tools like LexisNexis, Bloomberg Law, and Westlaw. In complex litigation, parties use Technology-Assisted Review (TAR) to manage large volumes of documents. TAR assists with document review, early case assessment, due diligence, and internal investigations.
Courts are still developing standards for generative AI in filings and evidence. A proposed rule change would require AI-generated evidence to meet the same reliability standards as expert testimony.
Generative AI tools are also used for privilege review, transcript summarization, legal research, and deposition preparation. However, risks such as bias, data privacy, intellectual property concerns, and deepfakes remain. Mitigation strategies include using digital signatures, deepfake detection, and ongoing rule updates. As Judge Allison Goddard emphasized at the COIL Alumni Conference, keeping a human in the loop is essential to ensure responsible AI use.
-I enjoy watching short clips of Judge Frank Caprio's court sessions in Providence, USA. I wondered if there are privacy concerns or objections from participants when these recordings are made public. Is it common to publicly broadcast court session recordings in the U.S.?
-Judge Caprio has indeed captivated a global audience! In the U.S., court practices differ between state and federal systems. Many state courts allow live video broadcasts, while federal courts generally prohibit cameras in the courtroom. Some federal civil or bankruptcy non-trial proceedings may be streamed via audio, but only when no witness is testifying.
As court proceedings are typically public, media and observers are welcome to attend. The federal judiciary has a clear policy prohibiting video recording in the courtroom. You can find this policy at: https://www.uscourts.gov/administration-policies/judiciary-policies/cameras-courtroom-policy.
While privacy concerns are paramount, broadcasting court proceedings can also enhance transparency and public trust. I’ve learned from this conference how frequently court sessions are broadcast in other countries, and how this approach can work to balance public access with individual rights.
-In our country, there are often misunderstandings between the judiciary and journalists. How do the courts and media organizations collaborate in the U.S.? How do courts communicate case decisions to the public?
-In the U.S., case decisions are public and accessible, allowing media outlets to report independently. Courts do not collaborate with the media but provide information as where appropriate upon request. Because filings and proceedings are typically public, journalists can access original documents and interpret them. Courts rarely comment on pending matters, reducing the chance of misunderstandings.
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, hosting dinners, walking my dogs, listening to music and podcasts, reading — and of course supporting the OKC Thunder, who will play game 7 of seven for the championship this weekend! These hobbies help me recharge and maintain perspective.
-How do you compare the judicial system of Mongolia with that of the U.S.? What differences, strengths, and weaknesses do you see? What recommendations would you give to the Mongolian judicial system?
-During my brief visit, I’ve come to admire the dedication of the Mongolian judiciary. They are tasked to wear many hats, serving on committees, training practitioners and judges, and professionally speaking in addition to a demanding day job. I was especially impressed by the recent proactive efforts to reduce pretrial detention rates, while acknowledging such changes take some time to percolate through the system. Similarly, plea bargains became acceptable in Mongolia fairly recently, which can reduce the trial dockets for busy criminal judges. In the U.S, we have robust plea bargaining and alternative dispute resolution options. As a result, few cases (under ten percent) go to a federal jury or bench trial.
The U.S. has both state and federal court systems, with federal courts having limited jurisdiction. Judicial selection varies: some state judges are elected, while federal judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Federal judges serve for life unless they choose to retire or take senior status. United States Magistrate Judges such as myself are chosen through a rigorous merit-selection process for renewable eight-year terms.
Both nations invest in research and education—such as the Federal Judicial Center in the U.S. and the Mongolian Bar Association. I’ve learned that the Mongolian Supreme Court recently reformed how it considers cases, including precedential value, which is a major step.
At bottom, I find Mongolia’s openness and commitment to transparency particularly admirable. Public confidence in the judiciary is a shared challenge, but transparency helps strengthen it. I am optimistic that both of our systems will continue to evolve and gain increased trust.
-The inaugural COIL alumni conference was held in Ulaanbaatar. I understand you are an alumnus of this program. Could you share your thoughts on the significance and outcomes of this program? Also, please share your opinions and evaluations of the inaugural alumni conference held in our country.
-I’ve served as host coordinator for COIL Open World programs for nearly 20 years, welcoming rule of law delegations from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and Mongolia. Through the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City, we offer home stays and a full professional schedule. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed connecting with the individuals we have hosted in our home and come away from the week with a renewed sense of optimism in the future’s leaders in visiting delegation’s judiciary.
The conference’s focus on court digitization brought to the fore the diverse challenges each judiciary has in providing better access to the courts and its filings, preserving privacy interests, and increasing efficiencies. Certainly, maintaining the cybersecurity of a court system remains of heightened concern, and will continue to do so. The impact of generative AI is developing exponentially. I took away a shared interest in becoming completely paperless and mobile, while understanding every judiciary faces its own demands. But the sharing of ideas, successes, and failures led to educational discussions that can only be shared at a well-run and thoughtfully planned conference such as this one.
The alumni conference in Ulaanbaatar also demonstrated the COIL program’s lasting impact. Alumni spoke fondly of their host families and have maintained strong ties. These exchanges deepen understanding and empathy and help identify improvements in both systems. I thank Mongolia for hosting this momentous conference and bring alumni together. This is a program unlike any other, and I look forward to the next gathering of brilliant COIL jurists!
-If possible, could you share an example of a case you have handled that has left a lasting impression on you?
-For a decade, I presided over the Court Assisted Recovery Effort (CARE) Reentry Court, a program for individuals with substance abuse issues on supervised release after serving prison time. Participation is voluntary, and in addition to standard supervision requirements, participants must participate in community service, therapy, and biweekly court appearances. The enticement for a participant is that upon completion of the program, the term of supervision is typically reduced if not ended. The program has four phases and lasts at least a year. For many from disadvantaged backgrounds, to receive public acknowledgments of successes from our team of judges, prosecutions, probation officers, public defenders, and treatment providers marks an enormous accomplishment. And to receive a standing ovation upon graduation is often the first public recognition of such a success.
I certainly hope I am able to return to Mongolia — I know there’s a lot more ground to cover, people to reconnect with, and topics I’d love to learn more about.
One participant, a woman with a history of abuse and a conviction in a major drug case, struggled but eventually succeeded. She found stable housing, employment, regained custody of her children, and maintained her sobriety. Her transformation was extraordinary, and she now returns to speak to current participants. Programs like this show the court’s potential to support lasting change and to celebrate the successes of those who battle addiction.
-Additionally, how do you balance your work as a judge with your personal life, interests, and hobbies?
-I’m fortunate to have an incredibly supportive family. We have four grown children, who seem to find amusement in how busy their parents remain. While I stay active, I try not to commit to roles unless I can devote the necessary time. I regularly speak to students, attorneys, and community groups about the judiciary. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, cooking, hosting dinners, walking my dogs, listening to music and podcasts, reading — and of course supporting the OKC Thunder, who will play game 7 of seven for the championship this weekend! These hobbies help me recharge and maintain perspective.
I certainly hope I am able to return to Mongolia — I know there’s a lot more ground to cover, people to reconnect with, and topics I’d love to learn more about.
I must put in a plug for https://judiciariesworldwide.fjc.gov, which is a comparative law resource my colleague Mira Al-Gurie and her assistant have developed over the past few years. It’s a phenomenal work in progress, providing easy access to various facets about differences in court systems, legal practices, and traditions. Given our visit to Ulaanbaatar, the section in Mongolia will undergo some changes as our local experts will contribute and help expand and update the page.
We thank you for your hospitality and culture we have been able to enjoy.