National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers

National Survey of Nonlawyer Assistance to Self-Represented Litigants Available to Court Leaders

According to a 2017 study by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), 86% of the civil legal problems reported by low-income Americans receive inadequate or no legal help. Other justice agencies have confirmed this troubling national legal dilemma, including the National Center for State Courts which estimates that at least one party is self-represented in approximately three out of four civil cases in state courts. In an ongoing effort to assess and expand workable, cost-efficient ways to help the unrepresented, the Justice Lab at the Georgetown Law Center reviewed the national landscape of “nonlawyer navigator programs” and reported on 23 initiatives in 15 state courts and the District of Columbia.

NAPCO 2016 Remote Court Tech Guide Remains Helpful

Three years ago, NAPCO published a reference guide on the current and potential use of remote technology for adjudication processes and court operations. The guide’s purpose is to help court leaders improve access to justice, reduce litigation costs, and decrease trial court delay where geographic distance from the courthouse by litigants, lawyers, witnesses, and the…

Some Judges Reconsidering Use of Comfort Dogs in Court

The state Legislature gives judges discretion to approve a person’s request to bring a comforting item to the witness box. Some children choose a blanket or their favorite toy. Others are accompanied by another person. In the past five to seven years, service dogs have risen in popularity because of studies that show they relieve anxiety in people.

2019 NAPCO | NCSC Leadership Conference

Continuing the tradition of an annual nationwide trial court leadership education forum, the National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers (NAPCO) and the National Center for State Court (NCSC) will present programs and workshops directed at improving leadership skills for top state and local trial court leaders and their management teams in Minneapolis, August 18-21, 2019. The 3-day event, beginning Sunday evening and concluding Wednesday at noon, explores best practices in judicial and court administration, targets teambuilding among court leaders, and provides a variety of seminars and practicums addressing today’s problems and solutions in leading and managing the nation’s courts.

Employee Engagement Sparks Court Culture Change in Cleveland’s Common Pleas Court

Judge John J. Russo is the presiding judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court in Cleveland. During his five years as the presiding judge, he has developed a passion for employee engagement, and he believes court leaders should have an open-door policy that invites input from all employees, not just from judges and court administrators. Listen to Judge Russo talk about how he has changed the court’s culture and runs his court like it’s a Fortune 500 company.

Judge Kevin Brazile, first African American Presiding Judge of Los Angeles Superior Court, Honored by UCLA Black Alumni Association

The UCLA Black Alumni Association (UBAA) hosted the Winston C. Doby Legacy Scholarship Reception on February 27th to recognize Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile, UCLA alum and the first African American presiding judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

2019 Trial Court Leadership Conference set for Minneapolis at New Hotel Location

The Conference dates are Sunday August 18 to Wednesday, August 21. The hotel site was recently changed due to contractual problems. The new location is the Crowne Plaza Downtown Minneapolis located at 618 Second Avenue South in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. The room rate is $149/night for double or single occupancy. Save the date! Early Conference registration begins on April 1.

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