Hon. Judge Rachel Barkai Brings Israeli Judicial Perspective to California Western

SAN DIEGO (May 5, 2025) -- This spring, California Western School of Law (CWSL) welcomed Hon. Judge Rachel Barkai, Vice President of the Tel Aviv District Court of Appeal, as a visiting professor through the Murray Galinson San Diego-Israel Initiative. Judge Barkai taught a seminar to 3L students titled "The Judiciary as Gatekeeper of Democracy," bringing decades of judicial experience to the classroom and sparking thought-provoking conversations on the role of courts in protecting human rights and democratic values.

Judge Barkai’s path to the bench began during an internship with the president of the Tel Aviv District Court, where she was inspired by the creative and impactful role judges play. After ten years practicing insurance and business law, she was appointed to the judiciary where she now focuses primarily on business cases but had her most formative experience on cases involving questions of human rights. Ruling in favor of immigrants, children, and people with disabilities, reinforced the importance of protecting the rule of law from the bench.

Committed to lifelong learning, Judge Barkai continues to broaden her legal knowledge and to share her knowledge through seminars for Israeli judges, lawyers, and students. She brought this same spirit of exchange to her teaching at CWSL. “Students should have a wide knowledge of other countries' judicial approaches, especially when talking about countries who practice the same system of law,” she explained. “Comparative research is very important for the development of the law and academic discussion.”

In class, Judge Barkai engaged students in lively debates on how courts in Israel and the U.S. serve as checks on power. “Both countries are facing challenges that raise the question whether those democracies are at risk,” she said. “The seminar dealt with the role of the judiciary in safeguarding democracy.” The seminar explored similarities in human rights protections under the common law systems of both nations, while also highlighting differences, such as judicial approaches to certain human rights questions, such as abortion and immigration. Barkai was impressed by the curiosity and critical thinking of her students. “They are very intelligent and open to learning about Israeli judgments— some of which they found to be more advanced than U.S. cases,” she said. 

Reflecting on her time at CWSL, Judge Barkai saw great promise in the next generation of legal professionals. “The class was very active and different opinions were presented. That is a good indication that they have learned to develop independent thoughts alongside good arguments,” she said. “They will become good lawyers, great leaders, and even good judges.”

For students aspiring to the bench, Judge Barkai says: “The best way to learn the challenges and work of being a judge is to work with one.” And above all, she reminds them, “Being a judge is not just a job. It is a mission-- a lifetime mission-- to make justice.”

About California Western School of Law   
For 100 years, California Western School of Law (CWSL) has trained practice-ready lawyers and thoughtful advocates for justice. As the first and longest-running law school in San Diego, CWSL remains committed to providing students with the fundamental knowledge, skills, and real-world experience to thrive in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. CWSL enrolls a student body representative of our diverse society, amplifying access to opportunities for social and economic mobility. Tailored programming allows students to focus on specific areas of interest, and distinguished faculty are dedicated to student growth and scholarship on critical social issues. The law school emphasizes practical, hands-on training through clinics, internships, externships, and pro bono service. CWSL is committed to excellence in education, nurturing compassionate legal professionals who use the law effectively and creatively to solve complex human and societal problems. For more information, visit www.CWSL.edu.