Allegations of Misconduct Surface Against Federal Judge in a Rare Complaint
In a significant move, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for law clerks has filed a misconduct complaint against a federal judge, highlighting serious concerns about workplace treatment and oversight. This action underscores ongoing debates about judicial accountability and employee protection within the court system.
The Legal Accountability Project has accused Judge Sarah Merriam of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit of bullying and mistreating her law clerks. According to the complaint, the organization’s claims are based on discussions with several former clerks who are apprehensive about potential retaliation. Aliza Shatzman, president of the group, described Merriam’s behavior as “yelling, berating clerks, sending all-caps unhinged emails.”
This complaint, filed earlier this month and reviewed by NPR, marks the second publicly known issue concerning Merriam in the last four years. Typically, such complaints are not disclosed to the public and are managed internally to maintain the judiciary’s independence. An investigation by NPR revealed a culture of fear among clerks regarding reporting judges, suggesting that the existing internal system fails to bring about substantial changes.
In December 2023, an internal investigation by the judicial council of the Second Circuit revealed that an unnamed judge, allegedly Merriam according to a report by legal commentator David Lat, had an “overly harsh” management style. The judge agreed to watch workplace conduct videos and receive counseling.
Shatzman reported hearing from clerks in 2024 and 2025 who described the alleged mistreatment by Merriam. One clerk reportedly resigned after just a month, and four others withdrew from their positions after learning about the working conditions. An email to Second Circuit officials and a message to Judge Merriam went unanswered, and a spokesperson for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts declined to comment.
Merriam, previously a federal public defender and magistrate judge in Connecticut, was nominated by President Biden to a district court judgeship in October 2021 and promoted to the appeals court in September 2022. The concerns surrounding her highlight the ongoing issues of power imbalances and lack of job protections for court employees.
To address the previous complaint, the Second Circuit implemented a system where a workplace relations coordinator would check in with clerks to ensure a respectful workplace. However, the new complaint from the Legal Accountability Project indicates persistent issues.
The recent filing may lead to interviews with those who have worked under Merriam and could prompt responses from the judge herself.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
