This webinar was held on January 22, 2026.
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Many court leaders throughout the United States and worldwide were recently saddened to learn Ernie Friesen, one of the most influential icons in court and judicial management, died December 11, 2025 at 97 years of age. His work toward improving trial court governance structures and case processing efficiencies is legendary, living on today as strategic, practical principles in managing courts and evidence-based remedies for reducing needless court delay.
As his obituary touted, “He was an idealist and a reformer, with a gift for getting to the heart of a problem and a passion for finding practical solutions he could teach the world.” In many respects, his work led to the reality that leading and managing modern trial courts is a two-person job: a presiding judge and court executive officer working together in complementary, productive leadership roles. A foundational principle upon which NAPCO is based.
Among Friesen’s contributions to the betterment of democratic justice systems was his unwavering, highly regarded research into the causes and cures of unnecessary court delay. The practical solutions he developed and promoted in case flow, docketing, and the early resolution of disputes are as relevant today in a world characterized by digitized, AI-enabled scheduling processes as they were decades ago when research and data analyses depended on Hollerith cards as the primary medium for scholarly work.
Join us for a 75-minute discussion by friends, associates and admirers of Ernie Friesen to celebrate his work and ethos as a law professor, law school dean, educator, researcher, consultant, ICM / NJC / NAPCO founder, and pioneer for responsible trial court leadership, governance, and case delay reduction.
Ernest C. Friesen, Jr.
- BA University of Kansas (1950); JD Columbia University Law School (1955)
- 1955-61: Private Practice; Trial Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice; Law Professor, University of Cincinnati
- 1961-63: American Bar Association, Director, Joint Committee for the Administration of Justice
- 1963-65: Founder / Dean, National Judicial College
- 1965-68: Assistant Attorney General for Administration, U.S. Department of Justice
- 1968-70: Director, Administrative Office of the United States Courts
- 1970-74: Founder / Executive Director, Institute for Court Management
- 1974-75: Senior Fulbright Scholar, University of Birmingham (England)
- 1976-80: Dean / Professor, Whittier School of Law (California)
- 1980-86: Dean / Professor, California Western School of Law
- 1987: First Visiting Scholar, National Center for State Courts
- 1988 & on: Consultant / Lecturer in private practice ( U.S. & worldwide)
Video
Documents
- Presentaton Slides (PDF)
- Speaker Resumes (PDF)