Spurlock Judicial Fund

10/12/2026

10/11/2026

Today we are launching our annual fundraising drive to support Judge Joe's legacy! This year's campaign will help raise the money to meet the John Templeton Foundation's cost-sharing requirement. We are excited to be working with our Mongolian partners on developing judicial virtues and adversarial trial skills to enhance the Rule of Law.

Raise $50,000 to provide transformational Mongolia fellowships for 18 students and support the training for 500 judges and attorneys.

09/10/2026

🌍⚖️ BIG NEWS FOR JUSTICE, LEADERSHIP, AND THE RULE OF LAW ⚖️🌍

Today in Ulaanbaatar, on behalf of the Spurlock Judicial Fund and Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, Judge Matthew Wright announced a groundbreaking international initiative to strengthen judicial virtue, ethical leadership, and professional responsibility in Mongolia. A $1.2 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation will support a three-year research and training project engaging approximately 600 judges, attorneys, and students in exploring how character, integrity, courage, humility, and practical wisdom can strengthen legal institutions and public trust.

Sitting next to Judge Joe's friend and partner in democracy, Judge Ganzorig, we completed one of his life long dreams which was to secure significant funding for the Mongolian people. As a tribute, his signature was on all of the signed documents.

This initiative is about more than laws and procedures. It is about the people entrusted to administer justice and how virtue-centered leadership can strengthen democratic institutions for generations to come. Through international partnerships, research, mentorship, and professional development, this work seeks to build a model that can influence legal systems around the world.

✅ Strengthening judicial independence
✅ Promoting ethical leadership
✅ Investing in future legal leaders
✅ Building bridges between nations through education and service

💙 Join us in shaping the future of justice.
👉 Donate today and become part of a global movement advancing integrity, wisdom, and the rule of law. https://givebutter.com/Virtue-in-action

09/10/2026

Judge Wright visited Shihihutug University, a global partner with SJF and Baylor University. School officials and the SJF teamed discussed ways to further cooperation and exchanges between Mongolia and Texas. Currently students from Baylor are engaged in virtual negotiation simulation with students from SHU. Judge Wright presented a ceremonial lasso to represent the schools pulling together.

09/10/2026

The Association of Mongolian Advocates and the SJF team met to discuss avenues of cooperation. Research, ethics, and training are the priorities for both organisms. SJF and AMA will continue their long history of work improving the Rule of Law.

09/10/2026

SJF and the Mongolian Bar Association had a productive work meeting. The officials planned out the next year of work as well as furthered the cooperation with the American Bar Association.  The next year will focus on research, ethics, mental health, as well as Legal English learning opportunities.

09/10/2026

SJF met with our historical friend Sainsanaa Chimid of the Chimid Foundation. We will continue our work to promote democracy and the Rule of Law like Dr. Chimid and Judge Joe envisioned.

09/10/2026

The SJF Team met with General Council for Courts" leadership team ofJudge P.Zolzaya, Judge G. Davaadorj, Judge O.Janchivnyambuu, and Executive Secretary D.Munkhzorig.  We renewed a working relationship and will cooperate in educational opportunities for Court clerks, court administrator, and continued development of e-courts.

09/09/2026

Another full day of implementation planning and agreement discussions with Lawyer Support Center-NGO, one of our partners in Mongolia.  They day was spent preparing for our big announcement and working on logistics for academic year 26-27. We will be training Mongolian judges and lawyers on plea bargaining, family law, anf mental well-being while integrating ethics.

09/09/2026

Tuesday was a very full day of planning with the Mongolian Judicial Association for our 26-27, 27-28, and 28-29 Academic years. Today was one of two critical planning meetings regarding SJF's press statement on Thursday. Stay tuned.
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