Los Angeles, CA  – Southwestern Law School is proud to announce that Professor Richard Lorren Jolly has been named one of two winners of the National Civil Justice Institute’s (NCJI) 2025 Civil Justice Scholarship Award. His article, Democratic Renewal and the Civil Jury, co-authored with Valerie P. Hans (Cornell Law School) and Robert S. Peck (Center for Constitutional Litigation, P.C.), was selected from a highly competitive field of 44 nominations, including 34 articles. The decision was unanimously affirmed by the NCJI Board of Trustees. 

“Professor Jolly’s scholarship highlights the vital role of the civil jury in sustaining and strengthening American democracy,” said President and Dean Darby Dickerson of Southwestern Law School. “His work not only deepens our understanding of democratic principles but also provides meaningful solutions to ensure broader civic participation in the justice system.” 

Rooted in a concern for American democracy, Democratic Renewal and the Civil Jury examines the decline of civil juries and their potential to restore public trust and civic engagement. The article presents six research-based recommendations to revitalize jury trials and reinforce the role of laypeople in judicial decision-making. 

Professor Jolly, who joined Southwestern Law School in 2021, teaches civil procedure, evidence, and torts. His research on procedural law and the socio-political role of juries has been published in leading law reviews, including Michigan Law Review and Boston College Law Review.  

The National Civil Justice Institute, a nonprofit founded by trial bar members, promotes a fair and accessible civil justice system. Its Civil Justice Scholarship Award recognizes outstanding legal research that enhances public understanding of civil litigation.