Baylor's Hankamer School of Business and Spurlock Judicial Fund Launch Pioneering International Initiative to Strengthen Judicial Virtue and Ethical Leadership in Mongolia

Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-709-5959
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The John Templeton Foundation has awarded $1.2 million to Baylor University's Hankamer School of Business and the Spurlock Judicial Fund to fund a groundbreaking international initiative designed to strengthen judicial virtue, ethical leadership and professional responsibility within Mongolia's legal system.

The three-year project will combine rigorous academic research with practical professional development to explore one of the most important questions facing legal systems worldwide: How can legal institutions cultivate the virtues necessary for justice to flourish?

The initiative will engage approximately 200 judges and 300 attorneys across Mongolia through a comprehensive program of workshops, mentorship networks, peer dialogue and reflective learning experiences. Rooted in virtue ethics, moral psychology and Mongolia's rich legal and cultural traditions, the project seeks to strengthen the moral foundations that enable legal institutions to earn and maintain public trust. In addition, the program will involve more than three dozen students as they study international negotiations and business. 

Baylor and the Spurlock Judicial Fund will collaborate with the Mongolian Judicial Association and the Lawyer Support Center located in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 

Why Mongolia?

Mongolia provides a compelling setting for this work. Since its democratic transition more than three decades ago, the nation has undertaken significant legal and constitutional reforms while continuing to strengthen democratic governance and the rule of law. The project recognizes that while institutional reforms can improve laws, procedures and accountability mechanisms, the long-term integrity of any legal system ultimately depends on the character, judgment and practical wisdom of the people entrusted with interpreting and applying those laws.

"Strong laws and effective institutions matter, but justice ultimately depends on the individuals who serve within them," said Judge Matthew G. Wright, J.D., B.A. '98, Primary Investigator, Baylor business management faculty member and one of the founders of the Spurlock Judicial Fund. "This initiative seeks to understand how virtues such as integrity, impartiality, humility, courage and practical wisdom can be intentionally cultivated within legal professions and strengthened across an entire legal ecosystem."

The project will bring together scholars, judges, attorneys and legal educators from the United States and Mongolia to create a model that integrates ethical reflection with daily professional practice. Participants will engage in structured discussions, case studies, mentorship opportunities and practical exercises designed to encourage thoughtful decision-making and reinforce professional identity grounded in service, fairness and ethical responsibility.

Innovative research in virtue development

Beyond training and professional development, the initiative will generate one of the most comprehensive studies to date examining virtue development within a legal profession. Researchers will conduct a longitudinal mixed-methods evaluation to explore how participation influences ethical reasoning, professional identity and expressions of virtue in judicial and legal decision-making.

The study will use surveys, case-based assessments and qualitative interviews to measure changes in participants' understanding of judicial virtues, approaches to ethical challenges and perceptions of professional leadership. The resulting data will help researchers better understand how moral character develops within professional institutions and how legal organizations can create environments that encourage ethical excellence.

"This project advances Baylor University's commitment to rigorous scholarship that addresses real-world challenges while promoting human flourishing," project leaders said. "By connecting philosophical inquiry, social science research and professional practice, we hope to contribute meaningful insights that can strengthen legal institutions both in Mongolia and around the world."

Global impact

The initiative reflects a growing global interest in virtue-centered approaches to professional development and aligns closely with the Baylor in Deeds strategic plan. While legal education and judicial training often focus on technical competence and procedural compliance, this project examines how institutions can also foster the personal qualities and moral habits that enable individuals to exercise sound judgment in complex and challenging situations.

The collaboration will build enduring partnerships among judges, lawyers, scholars and institutions in both countries while creating resources that may benefit legal systems far beyond Mongolia. Researchers anticipate that lessons learned through the project could inform future efforts to strengthen judicial ethics, legal professionalism and democratic resilience in diverse cultural and institutional contexts.

As democratic societies continue to confront challenges related to public trust, institutional legitimacy, and ethical leadership, Baylor University and the Spurlock Judicial Fund believe this initiative offers an important opportunity to explore how virtue, character and practical wisdom contribute to the pursuit of justice, Wright said.

By studying virtue development within a real-world legal environment, the project seeks to demonstrate that ethical excellence is not merely an individual aspiration, but a professional and institutional responsibility. The findings may help shape future models for cultivating principled leadership within courts, legal organizations and other public-serving institutions worldwide.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.

ABOUT THE HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Baylor University' 's Hankamer School of Business strives to further God' 's kingdom through the realm of business, using God-given gifts and academic talents to do so. Faculty and students conduct purposeful research and participate in experiential learning opportunities, all while operating in a Christ-centered mission. Undergraduate students can choose from 13 major areas of study. Graduate students can earn their MBA on their terms, either through the full-time, online or a Dallas-based executive program. The Business School also offers three Ph.D. programs in Information Systems, Entrepreneurship or Health Services Research. The School' 's top-ranked programs make up approximately 25% of the University' 's total enrollment. Visit the Hankamer School of Business website for more information. 

ABOUT SPURLOCK JUDICIAL FUND

The Spurlock Judicial Fund (SJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the rule of law, judicial excellence, and legal education through national and international partnerships. Guided by a commitment to integrity, service, and professional development, SJF creates opportunities for judges, lawyers, law students, and legal scholars to engage in meaningful exchanges that strengthen judicial institutions and promote justice. Through educational programs, leadership initiatives, and cross-cultural collaborations, the Fund helps develop principled legal professionals who are equipped to serve their communities with wisdom, fairness, and respect for the rule of law. Building bridges between legal systems and fostering a deeper understanding of democratic values, the Spurlock Judicial Fund advances its mission of supporting judicial independence, ethical leadership, and the administration of justice around the world.

About the John Templeton Foundation

Founded in 1987, the John Templeton Foundation supports interdisciplinary research.
and catalyzes conversations that inspire awe and wonder. We are working to create a world where people are curious about the wonders of the universe, free to pursue lives of meaning and purpose, and motivated by great and selfless love. 

With an endowment of $4 billion and annual giving of approximately $150 million, the
Foundation ranks among the 30 largest grantmaking foundations in the United States.
Headquartered outside Philadelphia, our philanthropic activities have engaged all major.
faith traditions and extended to more than 60 countries worldwide. For more
information, visit www.templeton.org.

ABOUT THE MONGOLIAN JUDGES ASSOCIATION

The Mongolian Judges Association (MJA) was established in 1998 and is a membership-based non-governmental organization that brings together judges from courts at all levels throughout Mongolia. The Association works to enhance its members' knowledge and professional skills, protect their rights and legitimate interests, safeguard judicial independence and the judiciary's institutional autonomy, and promote public understanding of judges' roles and work.

Through this initiative, the Mongolian Judges Association looks forward to assessing the current landscape of virtue-centered approaches within the judiciary and gaining a deeper understanding of how essential judicial virtues—including integrity, impartiality, humility, courage, and practical wisdom—are understood, practiced, and cultivated among its members. Building on the findings and insights generated through the project, the Association intends to strengthen its efforts to foster these virtues through professional development, peer learning, reflection, and institutional support. By encouraging judges not only to uphold professional and ethical standards but also to develop the character and practical wisdom needed for sound judicial decision-making, the Association seeks to strengthen judicial independence, public trust, and the broader legal system in Mongolia.

LAWYER SUPPORT CENTER – NGO

The Lawyer Support Center is an independent, nonprofit Mongolian organization founded to provide training on adversarial trials, ethics and the Rule of Law. It was founded by Attorney Forjsuren Batsuhk, who was the first president of the Mongolian Bar Association and a former recipient of scholarships and advice from the Spurlock Judicial Fund. Mr. Batsuhk has been the point of contact for logistical support and coordination with the other Mongolian partners. He has served on the Discipline Committee for lawyers and judges. The Mongolian Association of Advocates has awarded him Advocate of the Year. He has published articles on ethics in legal training.