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As an AJC member, you will have access to the Conference's many Committees which provide members a lively and open forum for analysis, debate and education. Conference Committees also allow you to discuss common and diverse interests and goals and to network with judges from around the nation.

Conference Committee members are very enthusiastic individuals committed to the cause of an efficient, independent judiciary. Many AJC members have expressed the view that Committee work has provided them with unprecedented professional and personal growth. AJC encourages its members to become involved and bring to the attention of these Committees their ideas and concerns so that the objectives and interests of all members can be heard, understood and incorporated into AJC proposals, projects and initiatives.

*by appointment only

The Council of Appellate Lawyers and the Council of Appellate Staff Attorneys have additional committees.

Bylaws*

Chair

Hon. David Thomson

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Co-Chairs

Hon. Luz Elena Chapa
Hon. Briana Zamora
Hon. Randall Howe

Education/AJEI Summit*

2024 Summit Chair

Hon. Jacqueline Nguyen

2025 Summit Chair

Hon. Robert Torres

Description

This committee is primarily responsible for the AJC’s involvement in the AJEI Summit. Committee works with Duke University School of Law to coordinate AJC’s participation in the Summit. Ensures there is space and time on the schedule for AJC, CAL and CASA to have their business meetings. Helps Duke promote the Summit to ABA members. Chair will submit verbal report of committee activities during monthly AJC conference calls, and written report one month prior to Midyear and Annual for inclusion in Conference agenda books.

Ethics & Professionalism

Chair

Hon. Christopher Goff

Description

Committee studies ethical challenges in the court room, creates programming, recommends policy. Committee will meet as needed by conference call. Chair will participate as a member of the Judicial Division’s Ethics Committee. Chair will submit verbal report of committee activities during monthly AJC conference calls, and written report one month prior to Midyear and Annual for inclusion in Conference agenda books.

Finance*

Co-Chairs

Hon. George James
Hon. Linda Bell

JD Record*

Editor

Brian C. Miller, Esq.

Description

Committee is responsible for soliciting, collecting, editing and submitting articles for publication in the JD RecordThis committee requires a significant time commitment, attention to detail, and commitment to meeting deadlines. Cultivating high quality, regular contributors for AJC’s section of the JD Record, and an editorial eye are necessary. Chair serves as AJC representative on the JD Record Editorial Board. Committee works closely with JD publications staff. Chair will submit verbal report of committee activities during monthly AJC conference calls, and written report one month prior to Midyear and Annual for inclusion in Conference agenda books

The Judges' Journal*

Editor

Hon. Leanna Weissmann

Judicial Clerkship Program

Chair

Hon. Robert Torres

Description

Committee will work with Judicial Division Judicial Clerkship Program Committee to assist in recruiting judges to participate in the annual program at Midyear. Committee will work to promote the participation of as many judges, CASA, and CAL members as possible, will work with JD Judicial Clerkship Program Committee chairs, and ABA Judicial Division and Diversity Center staff to support the annual program. Chair will submit verbal report of committee activities during monthly AJC conference calls, and written report one month prior to Midyear and Annual for inclusion in Conference agenda books.

Judicial Outreach

Chair

Hon. Christopher Goff

Long Range Planning

Chair

Hon. Bob Edmunds 

Description

Creates, implements, and monitors the Conference’s strategic plan. Committee will meet as needed at Midyear and Annual Meetings of the ABA, and by conference call. Co-chairs will also participate on the Judicial Division Strategic Planning Committee. Co-chairs will submit verbal report of committee activities during monthly AJC conference calls, and written report one month prior to Midyear and Annual for inclusion in Conference agenda books. Committee Chairs are a member of the JD Strategic Planning Committee.

Membership

Chair

Hon. Allegra Collins

Description

Focuses on membership recruitment and retention. Committee will meet as needed by conference call. Chair will submit verbal report of committee activities during monthly AJC conference calls, and written report one month prior to Midyear and Annual for inclusion in Conference agenda books. Chair is a member of the Judicial Division Membership Committee.

Nominating*

Chair

Hon. Laurie McKinnon

Description

According to section 7.1 of the AJC bylaws: Nominations for officers and members-at-large of the Executive Committee shall be made by the Nominating Committee. Conference Chair to appoint chair and members, traditionally the committee Chair is the AJC Immediate Past Chair. Composed of at least 3 members who are not candidates for office. Majority shall not be a present officer or member of Executive Committee. Committee will send out a call for nominations for the coming bar year. The committee will submit report of nominees to AJC Chair no later than 45 days prior to opening assembly of the Annual Meeting. The committee will publish, either digitally or in print, the final report to all Conference members no later than 30 days prior to the opening assembly of the Annual Meeting. If the Committee Chair is the Immediate Past Chair of the Conference then he/she is a member of the JD Nominating Committee.

Programs

Co-Chairs

Hon. Nancy Abudu
Hon. David Thomson

Description

Solicits, reviews and selects programs for presentation at the Midyear and Annual Meetings, as well as for the JD Sponsored webinar. Seeks opportunities to collaborate and co-sponsor programs with other entities within the ABA. Committee will work with Judicial Division staff to ensure program application submission deadlines are met, will actively pursue innovative and relevant topics for programs, and will strive to meet diversity goals when selecting topics and panelists. Chair will submit verbal report of committee activities during monthly AJC conference calls, and written report one month prior to Midyear and Annual for inclusion in Conference agenda books.