The Gordon “Gordy” Griller Award for Excellence in Court Leadership is given annually by the National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers to a person or persons who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and access to justice for all.
Throughout Mr. Griller’s stellar career in court administration, spanning more than five decades and including court executive positions in Minnesota and Arizona, and as a Principal Consultant with the National Center for State Courts, he was at the forefront of many innovative and long-lasting court improvement initiatives.
At the local level, he spearheaded many new programs including designing and implementing one of the first self-help centers for self-represented litigants, jury system improvements that increased community participation, and re-engineering case management practices to increase productivity and ensure all persons had access to prompt and timely justice.
On the national scene, Mr. Griller was an integral part of the merger of the National Association for Court Administration (NACA) and the National Association For Trial Court Administrators (NACTA), leading to the creation of the National Association of Court Management (NACM), and the transition of the National Conference of Metropolitan Courts (NCMC) into what is now the National Association of Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers (NAPCO).
Additionally, Mr. Griller has devoted countless hours to conducting educational sessions and providing on-site assistance throughout the United States on a wide array of issues, sharing his extensive knowledge and expertise of court operations. Throughout his tenure, he has remained a staunch supporter of effective leadership within the court, modeling the “productive pair” approach with Presiding Judges.
The National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers (NAPCO) administers the award, and its award selection committee will make the selections. Entries for the award must be received by June 13, 2025. The awards committee shall choose the recipient and announce at the NAPCO Annual Conference in August 2025.
Award Criteria
- Embody the leadership, innovation and access to justice traits that were the hallmark of Mr. Griller’s lifelong work in court administration.
- Will have played a major leadership role in a significant reform or improvement initiative within a state or the nation by coordinating action among state and/or national justice system partners.
- Is recognized by their peers as one who is committed to preserving fair and impartial courts, improving public trust and confidence in the justice system, reducing cost and delay, improving access and securing adequate funding for the judiciary.
- Has consistently displayed vision and passion, served as a mentor and inspiration to others in the field, and has contributed to court improvement in ways that are noteworthy and enduring.
Submission Deadline
Please send a letter of nomination and any supporting materials no later than June 27, 2025 via email to Nikiesha Cosby at .