Posts By: Dawn Palermo

Courtside Conversations
T.J. BeMent

December 9, 2021
by Dawn Palermo

Reflections on a NACM Presidency . . . during a Pandemic Title, Court: District Court Administrator, 10th Judicial District (Georgia)NACM Title: President, 2020-21Number of judges at court: 26NACM member since: 2000 How did you get started in court administration? I… Read more »

A Question of Ethics

January 4, 2022
by Peter C. Kiefer

After Two Years of COVID:  What Do We Know Now About Courts, Safety, and Privacy? These last two turbulent years have brought into sharp relief the dynamic tension between a court’s duty to keep both employees and the public safe,… Read more »

Management Musings

December 9, 2021
by Giuseppe M. Fazari

The poet laureate of Hawaii, Don Blanding, describes a fanciful dwelling in his poem “Vagabond’s House.” A lengthy elegy that details the vestiges of his travels and the people he encounters, it is what he dreams his home to be,… Read more »

2020 CourtFutures Top Trends to Watch: NACM Respondents

February 1, 2021
by Phillip Knox & Peter C. Kiefer

We have summarized the best thinking of over 1,500 court professionals who have reviewed 201 different scenarios of possible futures. This report highlights the 2020 assessments and focuses on the responses of NACM members, comparing their assessments with those of the overall group.

Using Online Tools to Connect Pro Se Litigants with Legal Information: Exploring How Presentation Style Affects Comprehension and Behavioral Intent

February 1, 2021
by Susan A. Choe, Orie V. Kristel, Rachel L. Harris, and Amanda L. Scott

Developing self-help information for pro se litigants can increase efficiency in courts, improve the public opinion of the civil justice system, and increase access to justice. Legal professionals sometimes can struggle to interpret legal information so that it is easy for lay people to understand and inspires confidence.

President’s Message

February 1, 2021
by T.J. BeMent

Greetings fellow court professionals! Take a little time to enjoy this issue’s articles.  We look back at the Top Trends of 2020 and consider ways to ensure that competencies gained from training are maintained as part of professional development.  Our… Read more »

Editor’s Notes

February 1, 2021
by Charlene Watkins

Dear Reader, I’m a language person, and it sparked my curiosity when I started seeing “physical distancing” supplant “social distancing” in some publications. A move from the social-distancing term is an attempt to underscore the fact that we should maintain… Read more »

Courtside Conversation
Jeffrey Tsunekawa

February 1, 2021
by Dawn Palermo

Jeffrey Tsunekawa Background: Title, Court:  Director of Research and Court Services, Texas Office of Court Administration NACM Title: Vice President, Chair of Education Committee Number of judges at court: 3,216 (in the state) NACM member since 2007 You are NACM’s… Read more »

A Question of Ethics

February 1, 2021
by Peter C. Kiefer

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed many new ethical questions involving the courts. The national “shelter-in-place” directive left businesses and government agencies scrambling. Courts worked to save employee jobs. Many courts were fortunate to receive emergency funding and retain employees for weeks… Read more »

Management Musings

February 1, 2021
by Giuseppe M. Fazari

What is in the word “yes” when we utter it?  In his book The Wisdom and Teachings of Stephen R. Covey, American educator and businessman Stephen R. Covey equates the commitments that individuals make to one another with “emotional bank… Read more »

Caseflow Management Practices—Opportunities for Application

August 24, 2020
by Janet G. Cornell

Caseflow management is a court responsibility, which benefits from ongoing attentiveness. Caseflow management practices involve efforts for monitoring and overseeing case progress while managing any case backlogs. Monitoring steps occur (optimally) from case initiation through trial, adjudicatory actions, and final… Read more »

Candid Camera: Tips for When You’re on Webcam

August 24, 2020
by Kelly Tait

Even as social-distancing guidelines change, the reality is that many of us will continue to conduct large portions of our jobs remotely. While you’ve probably already been on many video calls, it’s worth reevaluating your options and considering adjustments that… Read more »

Kevin Bowling Receives NACM Award of Merit

August 24, 2020
by Paul DeLosh

For 42 years, Kevin Bowling has had a career in courts, and he is a people person. So, it was a surprise when nobody tipped him off about his receiving the highest honor from the National Association for Court Management… Read more »

President’s Message

August 24, 2020
by T.J. BeMent

Greetings, fellow NACM members! As your new NACM President, I have so much I would like to say in person, but I appreciate the opportunity to give a virtual handshake to my colleagues around the country and even the world…. Read more »

Aligning Caseflow Management Practices with Generational Preferences

March 25, 2020
by Janet G. Cornell

Court leaders can face challenges when implementing and institutionalizing caseflow management practices. Generational influences and preferences may impact success. This article considers caseflow management practices, influences on success, and suggestions about caseflow techniques that make use of generational tendencies. Caseflow… Read more »

Editor’s Note

August 24, 2020
by Charlene Watkins

Dear Reader, The state courts where I live have been caught up in the pandemic crises of our day. Normally, I’d say that’s a reasonable thing. Courts are great places for those seeking justice, access to information, or a resolution… Read more »