Citizens for Judicial Fairness Donates $10,000 to Support Young Girls in Entrepreneurship at Police Athletic League of Wilmington
Citizens for Judicial Fairness (CJF) today presented a $10,000 check to the Police Athletic League of Wilmington’s D.I.V.A.S. program, an initiative dedicated to empowering young girls through entrepreneurship, leadership development, and personal growth. The event brought together community leaders, local residents, and program participants to celebrate a shared commitment to creating opportunities for Delaware’s next generation of changemakers.
CITIZENS FOR JUDICIAL FAIRNESS WARNS DELAWARE LEADERS OF CHANCERY OVERREACH IMPACT TO $2 BILLION CORPORATE ECONOMY AS META PREPARES FOR “DEXIT”
Today, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times reported that Meta, a company worth $1.7 trillion, plans to move their incorporation out of Delaware in response to Chancery Court overreach. The move follows the Chancery Court’s most obvious overreaching rulings in the Court’s history when they forced TransPerfect to pay more than $50 million in undocumented legal fees to local law firms and more recently, approved $354 million in fees to law firms in the Tesla case.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Slams Exorbitant Lawyers' Fees Awarded by Chancery Court Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick
Citizens for Judicial Fairness released the following statement today after Delaware’s Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick granted $176 million in legal fees as part of the Tesla board pay case:
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Names Jackie Griffith as Senior Strategic Advisor for Government and Community Relations
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness announced the appointment of Jackie Griffith as its new Senior Strategic Advisor for Government and Community Relations. Jackie, a veteran with over three decades of experience in government relations, public policy, and community outreach, brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of leadership to this newly created role.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness, Sharpton, and McDole Blast Governor Carney for Secretive Push to Fill Chancery Court Vacancy
Citizens for Judicial Fairness released the following statement today from national civil rights icon Reverend Al Sharpton and noted Delaware police reform and racial justice activist Keandra McDole in response to reports that Delaware’s secretive Judicial Nominating Commission is holding private interviews for the Chancery Court vacancy created by Vice Chancellor Glasscock’s impending retirement:
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Slams Carney Administration for Using Republican Playbook, Calls on Delaware Legislature to Pause Judicial Confirmations Until 2025
Today, following news that Arthur G. Connolly Ill, Chairman of the Delaware Judicial Nominating Commission sent out a Notice and Questionnaire for five key judicial posts across the State’s judiciary – including for Vice Chancellor of the Court of Chancery – Citizens for Judicial Fairness released the following statement:
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Poll: New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer Well Positioned for Victory in Race for Delaware Governor, Vice President Kamala Harris Favorability Ratings Pass Biden
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness released the results of a poll of voters in Delaware showing a two-to-one advantage for New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer over Delaware House of Representatives Minority Leader Mike Ramone.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Backs Delaware Legislation Reforming Laws Governing Court of Chancery
Today, Community Activist Keandra McDole, released the following statement in Support of Chancery Court Reform through Delaware State Senate Bill 313:
Rev. Al Sharpton Demands Diversity on Delaware’s Chancery Court
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness and racial justice activist Keandra McDole hosted a rally featuring Reverend Al Sharpton, alongside gubernatorial candidates Matt Meyer & Collin O’Mara, Lt. Governor candidate Sherry Dorsey Walker, Wilmington Mayoral Candidate Velda Jones-Potter and City Councilwoman Shané Darby, demanded Governor Carney appoint a justice of color to the upcoming vacancy on Delaware’s Chancery Court.
Judicial Advocacy Group Launches 7-Figure Campaign Urging Common Sense in Tesla Legal Fees Dispute
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness released a new TV advertisement – “Delaware Fat Cats” – with a New York Post exclusive. The advertisement is part of a 7-figure advertising campaign on broadcast, cable, streaming, and social media drawing attention to Delaware lawyers who have been empowered to seek $6 billion in legal fees by Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick’s Chancery Court.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Launches Full Scale “BadFellas” Campaign to Expose Chancery Court Corruption and Abuse
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness launched a new campaign, “BadFellas,” to expose Delaware Chancery Court injustices ahead of a University of Delaware Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance event featuring former Chancery Court Chancellor Andre Bouchard. The campaign will call out Bouchard, as well as former Supreme Court Chief Justice Leo Strine and current Chancery Court Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, as “BadFellas” who are rigging Delaware’s court system and threatening the state's economy by driving businesses away from DE to incorporate in other states.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Joins with Civil Rights Leaders Sharpton and McDole to Demand Appointment of Justice of Color to Fill Delaware Chancery Court Vacancy
Citizens for Judicial Fairness released the following statement today from national civil rights icon Reverend Al Sharpton and noted Delaware police reform and racial justice activist Keandra McDole, demanding that the new Delaware Court of Chancery vacancy created by the retirement of Vice Chancellor Sam Glasscock be filled with a justice of color:
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Urges Scrutiny of Rogue Judicial Actions in Delaware
Today, in light of an upcoming hearing about fees paid by TransPerfect in the Delaware Court of Chancery and reporting that TransPerfect is considering acquiring the Delaware News Journal, Citizens for Judicial Fairness released the following statement:
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Urges Chancery Court Overhaul After Elon Musk Considers Reincorporating Another Company Outside of Delaware
After the controversial ruling from Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick voided compensation to Elon Musk for his success with Tesla, Musk posted: “Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware” to his 170M followers on X. Musk currently has a poll on X with more than 888,000 votes with people voting to move Tesla’s Headquarters to Texas, which would provide Delaware another huge loss to its revenues and following a major exodus behind companies like X Corp, TransPerfect and DuPont spinoff Corteva. Citizens for Judicial Fairness released the following statement in response to these developments:
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Releases 2024 Candidate Questionnaire to Guide Engagement in Delaware’s Upcoming Elections
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness announced its 2024 candidate questionnaire, which will be sent to candidates for state office in Delaware’s 2024 elections. The questionnaire will provide an opportunity for candidates to express their positions on issues that are central to CJF’s advocacy for transparency, equity, and accountability in Delaware’s justice system. CJF will use candidates’ answers to guide engagement in the 2024 elections, including endorsements and other advocacy engagement. The questionnaire follows polling released by CJF showing a Governor’s race with the majority of voters still undecided.
George Santos Calls Out Chancery Court for Hiding from the Camera and Financial Disclosures
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness released a video from former Congressman George Santos roasting Delaware’s broken court system that has driven away successful companies, undermined the trust of all Delawareans, but especially Delawareans of color, and failed to uphold even the bare minimum standards of transparency.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Places Thanksgiving Print Ad Highlighting Chancery Court Corruption by Delaware Insiders
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness announced the launch of a new print advertising campaign on Thanksgiving weekend criticizing Delaware legal insiders for their profiteering off of their Chancery Court connections. The advertisement showcases what elites like former Chancery Court-appointed Custodian Robert Pincus, attorney Kevin Shannon, Governor John Carney, former Chancery Court Chancellor Andre Bouchard, and current Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick are “thankful for” this holiday season
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Poll: Matt Meyer Gaining Momentum in Open Race for Governor, But Still Trails Bethany Hall-Long
A new poll released this week by Citizens for Judicial Fairness found current Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long with an 11-point lead on Matt Meyer in the Delaware Democratic Gubernatorial primary, but with a plurality of voters still undecided..
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Protests Delaware’s Kangaroo Chancery Court at Corporate Law Conference
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness volunteers protested the Delaware Governance Institute on the University of Delaware campus in opposition to ongoing bias and rubber-stamping of legal fees by Delaware’s Chancery Court and Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, who is speaking at the event.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Places Labor Day Print Advertisement: “Don’t Let the Chancery Court Steal From Workers This Labor Day”
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness announced the launch of a Labor Day print advertisement exposing Delaware’s “Jabba the Hutt-like” elites including Chancery Court Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, former Chancellor and Supreme Court Justice Leo Strine, and longtime Chancery Court insider Kevin Shannon for enriching themselves while leaving working Delawareans behind. The advertisement calls out cushy conflicts of interest such as McCormick’s former representation of HIG before taking the bench and doling out judgements in the unsavory company’s favor.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Slams Latest Chancery Court Decision to Reject Skadden Fee Challenge in TransPerfect Case
Today, following reporting that the Chancery Court has rejected TransPerfect’s latest challenge to Custodian Skadden Arps’ unreasonable billing practices, Citizens for Judicial Fairness released the following statement:
Latest Chancery Giveaway of $267 Million to Corporate Law Firm Shines a Light on Court’s Commitment to Lining the Pockets of Delaware’s Elite: Citizens for Judicial Fairness
Today, following an obscene $267 million fee awarded by the Delaware Chancery Court to plaintiffs’ lawyers in the recent $1 billion Dell settlement, significantly more than the standard 10-12% paid out in federal securities cases, Citizens for Judicial Fairness released the following statement:
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Blasts Gov. Carney’s Choice of Easy Symbolism Instead of Making Real Progress on Judicial Diversity
Following recent news that the Court of Chancery will immediately cease use of the term “Master in Chancery” following Governor Carney’s signing of SB 179 to amend the title due to its racist underpinnings, Citizens for Judicial Fairness released the following statement:
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Condemns Delaware Old Boys’ Club After Twitter Lawsuit Against Wachtell Reveals Gross Overbilling from Former Judge Leo Strine
X Corp, the holding company owned by Elon Musk and representing Twitter, filed a complaint on July 5 with the Superior Court of California, accusing Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz of billing excessive fees during the final stages of a merger litigation suit in the Delaware Court of Chancery. Crucially, the lawsuit alleges boasting from Wachtell about their “preeminent Delaware litigation experience” given attorney Leo Strine’s former role as Chancery Court Chancellor and Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Supports Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester’s Candidacy for Delaware Senate; Urges Increased Diversity among Delaware Local, State, and Federal Representatives
Today, following Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester’s announcement that she will run for United States Senate in Delaware to replace outgoing Sen. Tom Carper, Citizens for Judicial Fairness announced its support for Blunt Rochester’s candidacy and called for further diversification of Delaware’s government at all levels including elected office as well as the state's infamously white judiciary.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Applauds Nomination of N. Christopher Griffiths To Be Second Black Delaware Supreme Court Justice in History; Urges Further Diversification from Governor John Carney
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness applauded the nomination of N. Christopher Griffiths to fill one of two vacancies on the Delaware Supreme Court, making him just the second Black justice nominated to the state’s Supreme Court in its 230-plus year history, while urging Governor Carney to further diversify the state’s top courts, including the all-white Chancery Court.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Bids Farewell to Twitter as Yet Another Major Company Leaves Delaware Due to Chancery Court Shady Malfeasance
Today, following news Twitter, Inc. has departed Delaware and merged with Nevada-based X Corp, the latest in a series of high-profile exits from the state due to Chancery Court overreach, including TransPerfect and DuPont spinoff Corteva, Citizens for Judicial Fairness released the following statement:
Grassroots Activists’ Protest of All-White Delaware Courts Blocked by Campus Police
Yesterday, grassroots activists partnered with Citizens for Judicial Fairness volunteers to protest an event with all-white panels of current and former Delaware Supreme Court Justices and other corporate legal elites in Newark, Delaware. The peaceful protesters, who were there to draw attention to the Delaware court system’s egregious lack of diversity and the failure of influential former judges like Leo Strine to speak up in favor of diverse courts, had their freedom of speech attacked by University of Delaware campus police who forced them off the grounds of the campus.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Launches St. Patrick’s Day Ad Exposing Chancery Court Shenanigans and Enrichment of Court Insiders like Bouchard, Pincus, and Strine
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness announced the launch of a new print advertising campaign on St. Patrick’s Day criticizing Delaware legal insiders for their profiteering off of their Chancery Court connections. The advertisement demonstrates how elites like former Chancery Court Chancellor Andre Bouchard, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Leo Strine, and multi-time Chancery Court-appointed Custodian Robert Pincus have earned pots of gold based on their court connections at the expense of everyday Delawareans.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Slams Delaware Chancery Court After Approval of Ongoing Overbilling by Skadden Arps
In a groundless but expected ruling, Delaware Vice Chancellor Morgan T. Zurn granted a Skadden Arps and Slate Meagher & Flom charge for a lien of $400,000 in the AutoLotto Inc. case. This motion adds to the handful of cases of the Delaware Chancery Court encouraging Skadden Arps casual entitlement to charge companies excessive fees.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Launches Print, Digital Advertising Campaign Exposing Voss, Pincus, and Strine as Delaware’s “Jabba the Hutt-like” Corporate Elite
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness announced the launch of a print and digital advertising campaign over Valentine’s Day week that exposes the greed of Delaware’s corporate elite and Court of Chancery. The advertisement depicts Chancery insiders Jennifer Voss, Robert Pincus, and Leo Strine as “Jabba the Hutt-like” figures who have made “galactic sums of money” off of Chancery Court cases and court-appointed custodianships, all at the expense of everyday Delawareans.
Reverend Al Sharpton to Speak at Black History Month Dinner Hosted by Citizens for Judicial Fairness, Urge Diverse Judicial Nominees to Delaware Supreme Court
Next week, Tuesday, February 21 at 6:00 PM, Citizens for Judicial Fairness and Reverend Al Sharpton will host a Black History Month dinner at the Wilmington Police Athletic League alongside local activists, elected officials, and concerned Delawareans to discuss racial justice and judicial equity in the state of Delaware.
Cronyism Crushes Inclusion Yet Again in Latest Chancery Court Appointment
The appointment this week of Bonnie David as master in chancery at the Delaware Court of Chancery exposed once more the lack of commitment to representation on one of the most important and powerful courts in the state and the nation -- and drew fierce fire from civil rights leaders who blasted the blatant disregard for diversity.
Civil Rights Icon Rev. Al Sharpton Joins Citizens for Judicial Fairness to Demand Gov. Carney Diversify Delaware's Supreme Court
Respected civil rights activist and leader Reverend Al Sharpton issued the below statement today, urging Delaware Governor John Carney to fill two upcoming vacancies on the state's Supreme Court with justices of color.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Runs Election Day Canvassing Operation and Voter Registration Drive in Wilmington, Exposes Disastrous Decision by All-White Chancery and Supreme Courts to Disenfranchise Delaware Voters
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness has partnered with leading Wilmington-based activist Keandra McDole and grassroots supporters to expose the Delaware Chancery and Supreme Court’s appalling decision to disenfranchise voters through striking down same-day voter registration and vote-by-mail legislation passed by the state legislature. CJF canvassers will blanket major polling sites in Wilmington to register voters who are turned away at the polls and urge them to advocate for Delaware’s leaders to protect voting rights.
New Records Show Chancery Court Approved $400,000 in New Fees Billed to TransPerfect Despite No Legal Action, Adding to Millions Already Billed
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness campaign manager Chris Coffey issued the following statement after new financial records show the Delaware Chancery Court approved an additional whopping $400,000 in legal fees last quarter for its hand-picked custodian, former Skadden Arps attorney Robert Pincus, in the TransPerfect case – despite little legal action or progress in the suit over the past three months.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Slams Report That Exposes $200 Million in Self-Dealing Legal Fees for Lawyers in Musk-Twitter Lawsuit Before Trial Even Begins
Following a shocking new report revealing that lawyers in the Musk-Twitter lawsuit billed as much as $200 million in legal fees in the case – a staggering amount given the scheduled start of the trial is still more than a week away – Citizens for Judicial Fairness Campaign Manager Chris Coffey released the following statement:.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Rebukes Attempts by Delaware Leaders to Make Delaware First in the Democratic Presidential Primary Calendar
Today, following reporting that the Democratic National Committee is considering moving Delaware forward in the Democratic presidential primary calendar – potentially even to first – in 2024 at the urging of Delaware Governor John Carney and other state leaders, Citizens for Judicial Fairness Campaign Manager Chris Coffey released the following statement:
Twitter Inc v. Musk Update: DE Judicial Watchdog Group Makes Rev. Al Sharpton Available to Media as Chancery Court Expert
Today – as the Delaware Chancery Court is set to begin hearing arguments in the case of Twitter v. Musk, Delaware-based judicial watchdog group Citizens for Judicial Fairness is announcing that its main advocacy partner, legendary civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton, will be available for comment to the media regarding the court’s beleaguered status.
Rev. Al Sharpton Joins Delaware Activists in Sounding Alarm over Twitter’s New Chancery Court ‘Fixer,’ Leo Strine
Today – following news that Twitter Inc. has hired M&A heavyweight Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz as it plans to take legal action against Elon Musk for moving to end his takeover of the company – civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton has released the following statement:
DE Judicial Watchdog Releases Factsheet on Chancery Court, Makes Activists and Experts Available for Comment
Today – following news that Twitter Inc. filed a lawsuit against Elon Musk for not going through with his purchase of the social media giant – Citizens for Judicial Fairness, a Delaware-based judicial fairness advocacy group committed to shining a light on the First State’s Court of Chancery, has announced it is releasing a fact sheet about the court and making the group’s resident experts and advocates available to the press for comment.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness to Execute $200,000+ Paid Media and Advocacy Campaign to Install Black Justice on Delaware Supreme Court
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness announced a $200,000+ advocacy campaign designed to pressure Delaware Governor John Carney to replace Supreme Court Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves, who has been nominated by President Joe Biden to join the US Third Circuit Court of Appeals, with a Black justice. Montgomery-Reeves was the first Black woman justice on both the Delaware Chancery Court when she was appointed in 2015 and the Delaware Supreme Court upon her appointment in 2019. Her departure from the Supreme Court will leave both the Supreme Court and Chancery Court with zero Black judges.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness and Reverend Al Sharpton Applaud Nomination of Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves to Third Circuit Court of Appeals; Urge Governor Carney to Nominate Black Justice to Replace Montgomery-Reeves on Delaware Supreme Court
Today, Citizens for Judicial Fairness and Reverend Al Sharpton applauded President Joe Biden’s groundbreaking nomination of current Delaware Supreme Court Justice Tamika Montgomery-Reeves to the United States Third Circuit Court of Appeals. The nomination epitomizes Biden’s ongoing commitment to equity and excellence on the nation’s highest courts, and draws attention back to Delaware, where Montgomery-Reeves’ departure will leave the state’s Supreme Court and Chancery Court with zero Black justices for the first time since 2015.
Local Delaware Activist Keandra McDole Silenced by Senate at the Confirmation of Nathan Cook for Chancery Court
Today, at the confirmation hearing of now-Chancellor Nathan Cook, local Delaware activist Keandra McDole was denied the opportunity to testify on the nomination. Last month, police reform and racial justice activist Keandra McDole stood beside civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton and local preachers to urge Governor Carney to diversify the court, which has only had one justice of color in its nearly 200-year history.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness, Reverend Al Sharpton, and Local Activists Denounce Planned Confirmation of Another White Male Justice to All-White Chancery Court
Today, grassroots advocacy group Citizens for Judicial Fairness joined forces with famed civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton and local activists Pastor Blaine Hackett and Kendra Ray, sister of Jeremy McDole, to denounce the scheduled confirmation of Nathan Cook to the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Rev. Al Sharpton Questions Carney for Closing Delaware State Offices for Juneteenth after Nominating another White Justice to the All-White Chancery
On Monday, Delaware state offices will be closed to honor the Juneteenth holiday for the second year following President Biden’s executive order to make Juneteenth a federal holiday. While recognizing the holiday is a significant step toward justice for Black Americans, the urgency to show meaningful action in the pursuit of equity for Black Americans has grown. Citizens for Judicial Fairness has been working for years alongside local activists and national civil rights leaders to draw attention to the lack of diversity in Delaware’s leadership. Rev. Al Sharpton has joined the local groups to rally for diversity in courts, specifically the Chancery court that holds power for more than a million companies headquartered in the state. Although President Biden has modeled the highest level of diversity through his court appointments and cabinet members, Governor Carney has not followed suit. While naming diversity as a priority, Governor Carney has passed three times on the opportunity to add a justice of color to the Chancery court.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness, Reverend Al Sharpton Slam Governor Carney for Nomination of White Man to Chancery Court
Today, following Governor John Carney’s announcement that he will nominate yet another white man, Nathan Cook, to replace outgoing Chancery Court Vice Chancellor Joseph R. Slights III on the Chancery Court, Citizens for Judicial Fairness and a coalition of judicial equity advocates from Delaware and nationwide slammed the decision.
Civil Rights Leader Reverend Al Sharpton Urges Elon Musk to Join Citizens for Judicial Fairness’s Fight for Equity and Transparency in Delaware Courts Amidst Potential Twitter Acquisition
This week, Citizens for Judicial Fairness published an open letter print advertisement from Reverend Al Sharpton in the San Francisco Chronicle and Austin American-Statesman urging Tesla CEO and incoming Twitter CEO Elon Musk to join CJF’s campaign for equity and transparency in the Chancery Court given his upcoming court battle there.
Citizens for Judicial Fairness Launches $500,000 #ChangeTheChancery Campaign Urging Governor Carney to Appoint Black Justice to Chancery Court in Dover Rally led by Rev Al Sharpton
Yesterday, Citizens for Judicial Fairness (formerly Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware) hosted a rally alongside Reverend Al Sharpton, Pastor Blaine Hackett, police reform activist and sister of Jeremy McDole Keandra Ray, and dozens of grassroots supporters urging Governor Carney to replace outgoing Chancery Court Chancellor Slights with a Black judge.
Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware Announces Rebranding as Citizens for Judicial Fairness to Be Launched at May 24th Rally with Rev. Al Sharpton to Urge Governor Carney to Appoint a Black Justice to Chancery Court
Today, Citizens for a Pro-Business Delaware, a 5,000-member grassroots advocacy organization founded in 2016, announced that it has rebranded as Citizens for Judicial Fairness to reflect the group’s evolution to a reform-focused organization advocating for equity and transparency in state courthouses and law firms nationwide, as well as its commitment to remain involved in Delaware for the long-term. CJF has pledged to continue forging partnerships and providing grants to aligned local grassroots organizations to develop its network of advocates.
