Many people view judges as impersonal arbiters of justice, identified by both attire and environment, wearing a black robe sitting in a courtroom high on a bench looking down on everyone else, gavel in hand. This environment certainly conveys authority, but definitely does not portray a judicial setting as comfortable, warm, relaxing, or inviting in any sense. Yet through demeanor, direction, and discretion, judges can bond with everyone in the courtroom, including the parties seeking justice, promoting a sense of fairness in both a court of law as well as within the court of public opinion.

While many types of professionals facilitate willing compliance through attention, respectful communication, and active listening, judges are unique examples of how positive communication influences perceived fairness as they analyze the behavior of parties appearing in court, as well as the use of power by others, including a wide variety of actors, delivering court rulings and resolving disputes to ensure that justice is done. For litigants, interested parties, and the general public, perceiving a judge as fair increases the likelihood of satisfaction with the result and a........

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