The Midyear Meeting in Pheonix was a success and a great opportunity to participate in community outreach with students both in high school and law school. Judges from NCSCJ participated in the Judicial Clerkship Program and Youth Outreach Program. We also visited Gila River Tribal Court to learn about Tribal Court operations and practices. This visit reminded me of the importance of creating professional relationships with nearby courts in your jurisdiction so when you have a Defendant of mutual interest, you have existing relationships which encourage a space for collaboration and creative problem solving.
National Conference of Specialized Court Judges Chair Message
Our conference has several professional development opportunities coming up. We are partnering with the National Judicial College to host a free online Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana CLE on May 8th, 2025, 11 a.m. central. At the Annual Meeting in Toronto, August 6-12, 2025, we will host our annual awards dinner as well as have opportunities to visit and meet Toronto judges and courts who are addressing the needs of defendants with serious mental illness. Be on the lookout soon for an announcement as our Nominating Committee will be seeking candidates this spring for our annual awards ceremony and Executive Committee elections. The awards dinner and elections are held every August at the Annual Meeting.
Finally, I want to take a moment to remember our colleague Judge Elizabeth “Ellie” Finn who passed away this past December after a long battle with cancer. Judge Finn was a long time ABA member and passionately served the public in her home state of Arizona. Judge Finn’s service included being Past Chair and member of the Executive Committee for the American Bar Association National Conference of Specialized Court Judges. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations in Ellie’s memory be made to her favorite charity, A New Leaf, an organization that provides sexual and domestic violence services.
Hon. Juliet Britton
2024-2025 Chair, National Conference of Specialized Cout Judges