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Misconduct Complaint Filed Against Judge Sarah Merriam

12/30/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Legal Accountability Project filed a misconduct complaint against Judge Sarah Merriam, a federal appeals court judge, alleging she bullies her law clerks.
This marks Merriam's second known misconduct complaint in four years.
An NPR investigation found a culture of fear around reporting judges and that prior complaints were often handled internally.
The complaint could prompt further investigations into her conduct and clerks' treatment in the Second Circuit.

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Story summary

The Legal Accountability Project filed a misconduct complaint against Judge Sarah Merriam, a federal appeals court judge, alleging she bullies her law clerks.
This marks Merriam's second known misconduct complaint in four years.
An NPR investigation found a culture of fear around reporting judges and that prior complaints were often handled internally.
The complaint could prompt further investigations into her conduct and clerks' treatment in the Second Circuit.