Benes Z. Aldana

Hon. Benes Z. Aldana (Ret.) is a nationally respected judicial leader whose career has been devoted to strengthening judicial leadership, court governance, and the rule of law. Over more than three decades of public service, he has served the justice system from virtually every professional perspective—as a prosecutor, trial lawyer, appellate advocate, trial judge, appellate judge, chief trial judge, judicial educator, and chief executive of the nation’s premier judicial education institution. That uncommon breadth of experience enables him to help courts and judicial leaders address complex challenges with credibility, practical insight, and a deep appreciation for the judiciary’s unique constitutional role.

Judge Aldana is Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Judicial Pathways and Leadership Strategies (JPALS), where he advises courts, judicial leaders, judicial organizations, and aspiring judges on leadership development, strategic planning, organizational effectiveness, judicial education, institutional resilience, and public trust. Through JPALS, he partners with courts to strengthen leadership, improve organizational culture, prepare future judicial leaders, and enhance the effective administration of justice.

From 2017 to 2025, Judge Aldana served as the ninth President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Judicial College. Under his leadership, the College experienced one of the most transformative periods in its history, expanding educational programming, modernizing judicial leadership development, strengthening national and international partnerships, and serving thousands of judges and court professionals across the United States and abroad. During his tenure, the College launched nationally recognized initiatives in judicial leadership, artificial intelligence, judicial wellness, restorative justice, climate science, human trafficking, and the rule of law, as well as the Judicial Academy for Aspiring Judges, which prepares lawyers and judicial officers for successful service on the bench.

Under Judge Aldana’s leadership, the National Judicial College became the first organization to receive the American Bar Association’s Justice and Rule of Law Award, recognizing the College’s exceptional contributions to strengthening the justice system and advancing the rule of law.

Before leading the National Judicial College, Judge Aldana served more than twenty-two years in the United States Coast Guard, retiring as a Captain (O-6). He made history as the first Asian Pacific American Chief Trial Judge in the history of the United States military. His distinguished military career also included service as an appellate judge, chief legal officer for the Coast Guard’s largest legal command, Chief Counsel for Legal Engagements at United States Africa Command, and legal advisor supporting national security and international rule of law initiatives. He also served on the congressionally established Military Justice Review Panel, conducting independent reviews of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Earlier in his career, Judge Aldana served as a Trial Attorney in the Environmental Enforcement Section of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, where he litigated civil actions to enforce federal environmental laws. He also served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington, assisting in the prosecution of federal environmental crimes.

Judge Aldana continues to advance the legal profession through leadership, teaching, and public service. He serves as a Lecturer in Law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, where he teaches National Security Law, and has held numerous national leadership positions within the American Bar Association and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with chief justices, judges, state court administrators, judicial educators, and bar leaders to strengthen judicial institutions and promote the rule of law.

Judge Aldana earned a Bachelor of Arts from Seattle University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law. Reflecting his commitment to lifelong learning and executive leadership, he also completed the Judicial Executive Leadership Program through Harvard Law School Executive Education.

His leadership and public service have earned significant national recognition, including the American Bar Association Spirit of Excellence Award, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award, and the American Bar Association GPSolo Division Lifetime Achievement Award.

A nationally recognized speaker, educator, and strategic advisor, Judge Aldana is known for helping courts navigate organizational change, cultivate effective judicial leadership, and build cultures grounded in integrity, accountability, innovation, and public trust. Through JPALS, he continues that mission by partnering with courts and judicial leaders to strengthen institutions, develop the next generation of judicial leaders, and promote excellence in the administration of justice.