Inside the Mandate: Safeguarding Judges, Lawyers, and Fundamental Rights with Meg Satterthwaite

In the twelfth and final episode of Season 3 of the Thank You Democracy Podcast, we sat down with Margaret Satterthwaite to discuss the personal journey, professional milestones, and global challenges that shape her work as UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. We also explore why judicial independence is essential for democracy, how global democracy backsliding is reshaping the mandate, and where meaningful resilience and hope continue to emerge.Margaret (Meg) Satterthwaite is a distinguished human rights lawyer, scholar, and advocate whose career has been dedicated to advancing justice, accountability, and the rule of law. Appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2022, she leads the global mandate to safeguard the independence of judges and lawyers, a cornerstone of democratic governance and human rights protection. With a career spanning over two decades, she has worked at the intersection of international law, access to justice, and human rights, combining academic leadership with hands-on engagement in the field. She serves as a Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Bernstein Institute for Human Rights at New York University School of Law, where she has mentored generations of lawyers and advocates committed to justice and equality.Through her UN mandate, Meg has shed light on the contemporary threats facing judicial independence worldwide, from political interference and corruption to digital harassment and economic pressure, while emphasizing the role of courts and legal professionals in upholding democracy and protecting civic space.