Disaster Preparedness

Waymaker

Courts & Judiciary

An Interview with Judge Gladys Kessler

By Judge Michele D. Hotten

Judge Gladys Kessler, a renowned member of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, knew at an early age that she wanted a career that would be intellectually challenging for a lifetime. Discover how she endeavors to make judges more cognizant of their responsibility to the Constitution, the rule of law, and the importance of remaining in touch with the reality of people’s lives.

Features

Courts & Judiciary

The ABA Judicial Division Turns 100

By Peter M. Koelling

The Judicial Division continues to focus on many of the same crucial issues on which it was founded a century ago: judicial selection, the compensation of judges, the structure of our court systems, jurisdiction, administrative and financial support, and judicial independence.

Courts & Judiciary

Disaster Planning A View from Michigan’s Highest Court

By John Ort

Do you have a written plan to effectively and efficiently manage unexpected disruptions to court operations? Disaster planning is an essential part of court leadership. A good Continuity of Operations Plan will prepare your court to deal with disaster and act as a beacon of stability during a chaotic time.

Courts & Judiciary

Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

By Judge William D. Missouri (Ret.)

When a fire struck the county courthouse in Prince George’s County, Maryland, in November 2004, the evacuation drills the employees begrudgingly participated in since 9/11 paid dividends. No one panicked, and no life was lost. The lesson learned is that the best practice in preparing for a disaster is to rehearse, rehearse, rehearse.

Courts & Judiciary

Fire! Disaster Planning and Response in North Carolina

By Susan Owens

Just weeks before a fire broke out in the Chatham County Court in North Carolina, staff met to complete a Pandemic Continuity of Operations Plan (P-COOP). Input for the plan was gathered from judges, clerks of court, magistrates, and others. Originally designed to ensure that courts remain open and accessible for business should a pandemic occur, the P-COOP was effective for this emergency situation and can serve as an example for others.

Courts & Judiciary

How to Survive an Earthquake—Or Any Other Natural Disaster

By Paul Manolopoulos and David Reynolds

Courts should take these 10 steps to prepare for and minimize the impacts of any emergency situation, not just earthquakes, and maintain business as usual. The key is planning your emergency response in advance.

Courts & Judiciary

An Interview with Clerk of the Supreme Court William K. Suter

By Peter M. Koelling

William K. Suter retired in August 2013 after 22 years of service as the 19th clerk of the U.S. Supreme Court. He offers insight into how the clerk’s office operates, how the Court reviews petitions, and what judges can do to make the work of the clerk easier.

Courts & Judiciary

Disaster Planning and the Role of Lawyers U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York

By Chief Judge Cecelia G. Morris and Vito Genna

Having a COOP in place enabled the Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York to be up and operating within 26 hours of Hurricane Sandy. Key to the plan was the staff’s proficiency with teleworking, which allowed nonstop operations such as docketing orders and updating the website with emergency instructions.

Technology Column

Courts & Judiciary

Information Technology Disaster Recovery Planning for Court Institutions

By Judge Herbert B. Dixon Jr.

The creation and development of an Information Technology Disaster Recovery Plan for a court is an extremely complex, detailed, and technical process. Judge Dixon outlines some of the considerations that must be a part of any court’s effort to effectively develop such a plan.

Ethics Column

Courts & Judiciary

Ethics in Times of Crisis

By Marla N. Greenstein

By keeping basic ethical precepts in the forefront, judges can ensure that courts in times of crisis are courts that continue to promote public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary.

American Bar Association TM American Bar Association

Disaster Preparedness

Are You Ready?

Waymaker

An Interview with Judge Gladys Kessler

Features

The ABA Judicial Division Turns 100

Disaster Planning A View from Michigan’s Highest Court

Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance

Fire! Disaster Planning and Response in North Carolina

How to Survive an Earthquake—Or Any Other Natural Disaster

An Interview with Clerk of the Supreme Court William K. Suter

Disaster Planning and the Role of Lawyers U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York

Technology Column

Information Technology Disaster Recovery Planning for Court Institutions

Ethics Column

Ethics in Times of Crisis