In the poem “Invictus,” William Ernest Henley discusses the “unconquerable” spirit in the face of death while preserving one’s sense of dignity in the course of that struggle: Out of the night that covers me,Black as the pit from pole… Read more »
Departments
A Question of Ethics
Courts and Inside Information: What Can and Should We Do with What We Learn at Work? We are not stockbrokers or day traders, but in our role as court employees we learn a lot. We know about patterns of litigation… Read more »
Management Musings
In 2019 Dave Chappelle was honored with the Mark Twain Prize, an annual award given to comedians whose work has made a substantial impact on American society. During his acceptance speech, he remarked about doing (and being) something that one… Read more »
A Question of Ethics Conversation
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion: What Is the Court’s Duty? NACM has made a commitment to the values of providing equal justice regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or identity, disability, or social economic status. What is the court’s ethical… Read more »
A Question of Ethics
This episode of A Question of Ethics will continue to explore diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and NACM’s commitment to helping provide equal justice. This session was recorded after the Ethics Subcommittee Conference Call on April 28, 2022. The questions… Read more »
President’s Message
Dear NACM Members, It was great to see those who attended the Annual Conference in person in San Diego. This fantastic conference provided a relevant educational curriculum and resources, which were even made accessible to those who could only attend… Read more »
Editor’s Notes
Charlene Watkins Dear Reader, I find myself wearing my mask more often when I’m out, given the new COVID-19 variant on the rise. Managing current changes within our workplace requires understanding that the shift toward “normal” may be temporary, delayed,… Read more »
Courtside Conversations
Amanda Marshall
Amanda Marshall Title, Court: Public Outreach/Law Library Director, Superior Court of Cobb County Number of judges at court: 10 superior court judges NACM member since 2006 You served as the Chair of the NACM Media Guide Committee. What did that… Read more »
A Question of Ethics
Courts, Testing, and Vaccinations What Will Your Court Decide? A Video Conversation on Courts and Ethics The coronavirus has hamstrung our nation’s courts since March 2020. 2021 offers hope that we may soon return to our normal lives, but it… Read more »
President’s Message
As 2021 ends and 2022 begins, we are not only faced with the ongoing COVID pandemic but also devastating natural disasters. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who were impacted by the recent outbreak of tornadoes. Now is… Read more »
Editor’s Notes
Dear Reader, This issue provides an opportunity for us to shift our perspective. It offers two different takes on Online Dispute Resolution. It provides information about how courts responded to the complex issues of fire and civil unrest—while dealing with… Read more »
Courtside Conversations
T.J. BeMent
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 »
Management Musings
In ancient Rome, public wrestling and sport contests were held in places called palestras, where the phrase “Strip or Retire” (compete or quit), was etched into the stone overhead. Athletes competed in the nude because the Romans believed that if… Read more »
A Question of Ethics
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
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 »
President’s Message
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
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
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
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
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 »
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