2020 Spring Edition

Court Administration

Director's Column

By Tori J. Wible, Chicago, IL

Nearly 100 years after the suffragist movement began, the Amendment was ratified. Numerous papers, books, and dissertations have addressed the reasons why it took our country so long to acknowledge that women are capable of voting. If you’re interested in learning more, I’m sure Google will find plenty of sources for you.

Courts & Judiciary

Public Access to Court Services Through Artificial Intelligence: New Jersey’s “Judiciary Information Agent”

By Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer, Phoenix, AZ

Expanded deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in courts was front and center at the National Association for Court Management’s (NACM) mid-year conference this past February in Charlotte, North Carolina, both in educational sessions and the vendor exhibition. One of the sessions explored the Superior Court of New Jersey’s use of chatbots to answer frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) posed by the public.

Courts & Judiciary

The Judicial Clerkship Program Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

By Hon. Willie J. Epps, Jr., Jefferson City, MO

This year 70 law students, most of whom are minority and first-generation law students, from 15 law schools across the country, participated in this intensive three-day program that gives students the rare opportunity to experience the judicial decision-making process and learn about the working relationship between judges and their law clerks.

Courts & Judiciary

Standing Committee on Diversity in the Judiciary Host Judicial Outreach Program to High School Students at Midyear

By Hon. Elizabeth Finn, Glendale, AZ

We had the unique opportunity of visiting Garza Independence High School. The description of the school on its’ website truly gives all a picture of the school and the students. “Imagine a high school where students are in control of their destiny. Imagine a high school that believes that a student's environment and history does not have to decide his or her future..."

Nominating Committee Report

The Judicial Division Nominating Committee hereby reports, nominations for positions that will be filled by vote of the membership during the 2020 Annual Meeting.

Access to Justice

The ABA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Task Force

In response to the growing legal needs of Americans arising from the coronavirus pandemic, the American Bar Association has created a nationwide task force of volunteer lawyers and judges from across the legal profession. The task force will identify the legal needs arising from the pandemic, make recommendations to address those needs and help mobilize volunteer lawyers and legal professionals for people who need help.

Courts & Judiciary

AJC Chair's Column

By Hon. Albert Diaz, Charlotte, NC

My thanks to those who joined us at the ABA Midyear Meeting in Austin, Texas! As is our custom, the Conference participated in the annual Judicial Clerkship Program.

Courts & Judiciary

CAL Chair's Column

By Deena Jo Schneider, Philadelphia, PA

The Council of Appellate Lawyers (CAL) is busy pursuing new initiatives in each of our spheres of activity. We invite all appellate lawyers to join us and get involved.

Court Administration

CASA Chair's Column

By Elizabeth T. Ryan, Nashville, TN

In November 2019, the CASA gathered for the AJEI Summit in Washington, D.C. As always, CASA members proposed programs for the Summit at the AJEI and helped to develop the programs that were selected, including topics on pretrial release, issues involving LGBTQ and transgender rights, the use of staff attorneys and law clerks in appellate courts, and qualified immunity.

Courts & Judiciary

LC Chair's Column

By Carolyn A. Dubay, Raleigh, NC

The ABA Midyear Meeting in Austin, like any other Midyear, is an invigorating reminder of why membership in the Lawyers Conference is so meaningful and why I have continued to be engaged with the ABA.

Courts & Judiciary

NCALJ Chair's Column

By Hon. Robert S. Cohen, Tallahassee, FL

As Chair, once the Midyear Meeting has come and gone, your time remaining begins to seem short. Reflecting on the first half of my term, I see substantial progress being made, but realize that the real work lies ahead. Our focus this year has been on supporting those among our ranks whose decisional independence has been put at issue.

NCALJ Nominating Committee Report

The NCALJ Nominating Committee has made their recommendations for the 2021 Executive Committee positions. The nominees will be voted on at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL, on Saturday, August 1, 2020.

NCALJ Judicial Division Vice-Chair Election

Learn how NCALJ members can submit a nomination for the Judicial Division Vice-Chair.

Courts & Judiciary

NCFTJ Chair's Column

By Hon. Leo I. Brisbois, Duluth, MN

Each of us must decide for ourselves what it means to be a good judge. And, as a part of that individual determination, we will each incorporate aspects of the various value systems to which we have personally been exposed.

Courts & Judiciary

NCSCJ Chair's Column

By Hon. Shelbonnie Coleman-Hall, Mobile, AL

As I prepare this column, we are now at the midway point of my tenure as Chair of the National Conference of Specialized Court Judges. I am so proud of the men and women who serve as officers and chairs of our great Conference. They have continued to work on our many initiatives to ensure that you reap and enjoy the full benefits of being a member of our great Conference.

Courts & Judiciary

Peacekeeping Status Report in the World’s Youngest Nation

By Hon. Larry Sage (Ret.), South Sudan

South Sudan fought for and gained independence from Sudan eight years ago. It became the world’s youngest nation only to commence fighting a civil war ever since. What happens in the next four months may well determine if peace or war will be the future of South Sudan for the next generation.

NCSCJ Award Nominations for Judges, Attorneys, Court Personnel and Educators in Specialized Jurisdictions

The NCSCJ invites nominations for any of the Conference’s three annual awards. Nominations will be accepted through April 15, 2020.

Notice of Intent to Amend NCSCJ Bylaws

As Required by Article 8 of NCSCJ Bylaws, the general membership of the National Conference of Specialized Court Judges will meet during the Association's Annual Meeting on August 1, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois to consider and vote on whether to amend Article 5.6 of the bylaws of the Conference.

NCSCJ Nominating Committee Report

The NCSCJ Nominating Committee met on March 6, 2020 and, after due consideration and discussion of all applications received, and mindful of ABA Goal III and the conference’s diversity policy as stated in Article 2.5 of the conference bylaws, has made their nomination report for the open Executive Committee positions.

Courts & Judiciary

NCSTJ Chair's Column

By Hon. Heather A. Welch, Indianapolis, IN

The National Conference of State Trial Judges (NCSTJ) had a productive meeting during the ABA Midyear Meeting in Austin, Texas. It was wonderful to see those of you who attended and we missed the many members who could not make it to Austin.

Courts & Judiciary

Hawaii’s State Courts Celebrate National Judicial Outreach

By Hon. Margaret K. Masunaga, Kealakekua, HI

The Hawaii Judiciary got a jump start in celebrating National Judicial Outreach Week with its first event on February 28, 2020. A group of librarians toured the new Keahuolu Courthouse, located on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Courts & Judiciary

We Asked and You Answered!

By Hon. Christina Klineman, Indianapolis, IN and Hon. Mary Vasaly, Minneapolis, MN

In our last "Judicial Record", we asked our Judges to ring in on whether they like the idea of “co-located” chambers.