National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers

Dr. Suzanne Peterson to Lead Academy Day at the 2026 NAPCO Conference

Every year, the National Association for Presiding Court Officers (NAPCO) brings together some of the most forwardthinking leaders in the judicial community. The 2026 NAPCO Conference promises to raise that bar even higher — thanks in large part to the return of Dr. Peterson, whose Academy Day sessions have become a highlight for court executives, judges, and administrators across the country.

Leaving the Umbrella in a Rainstorm: The Supreme Court’s Failure to Protect Voting Rights

The federal judiciary—especially the modern Supreme Court—has retreated from its historic role in protecting voting rights, dismantling key provisions like Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and weakening safeguards against discrimination. The Supreme Court has also limited oversight of partisan gerrymandering, expanded legislative privilege to obstruct discovery, and questioned whether private plaintiffs can sue under the Voting Rights Act. These shifts risk undermining equal representation and destabilizing the democratic system.

The Anchor of the Courthouse: The Power of the Productive Pair

We often operate under the illusion that a single visionary leader can steer a complex organization through turbulent waters. In reality, the most successful organizations, those that maintain a high level of accomplishment over decades, rarely rely on a solitary genius.

Why Business Leaders Need to Champion Democracy

Almost all executives agree that a well-functioning democracy is important to a strong economy. But many are unsure about what role they can play in supporting it. The authors suggest four actions: Defend democratic institutions and processes; support independent civil society organizations without exercising undue influence; limit forms of political influence that are not aligned with democratic principles; and foster democratic practices within their organizations.

How to Deal with a Passive-Aggressive Colleague: A Five-Step Plan

Passive-aggressive behavior thrives because it is difficult to call out. Unlike openly hostile colleagues, passive-aggressive individuals maintain plausible deniability. They can always claim they were misunderstood or that they were “just trying to help.” They rarely say anything explicitly offensive, yet their actions consistently undermine others. If you think of colleagues or coworkers who never say anything during meetings, they just silently smile and nod and pretend to be interested and aligned, but then, when you think of it, you never really know what they think, who they are, and they rarely deliver anything or produce much at all.Passive-aggressive behavior thrives precisely because it is difficult to call out. Unlike openly hostile colleagues, passive-aggressive individuals maintain plausible deniability. They can always claim they were misunderstood or that they were “just trying to help.” They rarely say anything explicitly offensive, yet their actions consistently undermine others. If you think of colleagues or coworkers who never say anything during meetings, they just silently smile and nod and pretend to be interested and aligned, but then, when you think of it, you never really know what they think, who they are, and they rarely deliver anything or produce much at all. Once you start noticing it, you will probably realize how common it is.

The Declaration of Independence Still Defines America’s Purpose

What explains the Declaration of Independence’s potency? I think Americans are drawn to it for the same reasons human beings are so often drawn to sacred scripture. Commandment and covenant, the Declaration is the biblical base of America’s civic religion, offering precept and promise. We turn to it in remembrance of battles won – beginning with the Revolutionary War itself – and to arm ourselves for battles still to come.

Judicial Canons of Ethics Apply to Judges’ Administrative, Supervisory Roles

Recently, the American Bar Association released a formal ethics opinion that provides guidance on the ethical obligations of judges under the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct when exercising administrative, employment and supervisory authority.