Paving the Cowpath Last week I started my first class of the Institute for Court Management’s Court Management Program II course. Our instructor gave us some sage advice: “Don’t pave the cowpath.” I had heard the phrase, “You can’t put… Read more »
Departments
President’s Message
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 »
Editor’s Note
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 »
Early Career Professionals
Find Your Voice When I first started as a court administrator, I had zero experience with the judicial or legal systems. There was a point where I received a traffic ticket, but I paid it right away and never needed… Read more »
IJIS Exchange
Part two of the three-part column on court project IT dream teams In our last column, we introduced the topic of “dream teams” and gave a few examples of high performers from the world of sports (the 1992 U.S. Olympic… Read more »
President’s Message
Welcome to this edition of the Court Manager. The NACM Board and our volunteer committee members are engaged and doing a marvelous job on behalf of the association. I am amazed by their dedication and commitment. Please visit the NACM… Read more »
President’s Message
Welcome to this edition of the Court Manager. The NACM Board and all of our volunteer committee members are engaged and doing a marvelous job on behalf of the association. I am amazed by their dedication and commitment. Please visit… Read more »
President’s Message
There are many amazing things happening with the National Association for Court Management (NACM). With the help and support of our members, partners, and sponsors, we’re able to excel at our mission in educating court professionals, providing community, sharing information,… Read more »
Courtside Conversation
Robert Carbeck
Robert Carbeck Deputy Court Administrator, Washtenaw County Michigan Trial Court Number of judges at court: Seven NACM member since: 2019 How did you get started in court administration?There was a need and I had some experience. I started my court… Read more »
Editor’s Note
Dear Reader, When I started writing this weeks ago, I led with the idea of change. After all, undertaking this editing role represents a change for me. But now that a pandemic change overtakes my daily job duties and much… Read more »
Editor’s Note
The Power of Pumpkin Spice By the time this issue of Court Manager goes live, your Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL, as the kids call it) will have gone cold (and probably old), only to be replaced with eggnog McFlurries… Read more »
A Question of Ethics
When I think of a courthouse, I often envision a Doric-columned stately judicial building, focused on and controlled by judges. We often forget that many courts in this country are housed in multiuse government facilities. The courts in these facilities are often… Read more »
Early Career Professionals
My Career Path Almost 32 years ago, I needed a job. My mom said, “Work for the county. They will hire anyone.” Gee. Thanks, Mom. I had two choices—working in the courts or for the animal shelter where my mom worked…. Read more »
Early Career Professionals
Learning to Fly No person, ever, in the history of mankind, was born with the ability to run. At first, we’re carried everywhere because we can’t do anything ourselves. Then we manage to get up on our hands and knees… Read more »
Courtside Conversation
Angie VanSchoick
Angie VanSchoick Court Administrator, Breckenridge Municipal Court, Breckenridge, Colorado NACM Board of Directors, elected July 2018 Number of judges at court: 1 NACM member since 2013 How did you come to work for the courts?I came to work for the… Read more »
Management Musings
In Everyday Tao: Living in Balance and Harmony, the Chinese American author, artist, and teacher Deng Ming-Dao writes, “The moon does not fight. It attacks no one. It does not worry. It does not try to crush others. It keeps… Read more »
Courtside Conversation
Laissez les Bon Temps Rouler (Let the Good Times Roll) Editor’s Note: NACM’s next annual conference is scheduled to be held in New Orleans, July 12-16, 2020. Court Manager would like to help you get acquainted with some of our… Read more »
Courtside Conversation
Rick Pierce
Rick Pierce Judicial Programs Administrator, Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts Director, NACM Chair of Governance Committee Assists over 900 general- and limited-jurisdiction judges upon request NACM member since 1988 How did you get started in court administration? My mother’s best… Read more »
Editor’s Note
KonMari-ing the Courts The other day my husband and I discovered the Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, a series of allegedly “inspiring home makeovers.” If you’re not familiar, Marie Kondo uses the innovative KonMari Method™ from her best-selling… Read more »
A Question of Ethics
Confidentiality: Are There Still Unanswered Questions? Confidentiality matters can seem black or white, with little to discuss in terms of ethics. Occasionally, a gray area emerges, which is worth exploring. Canon 2.6 of the NACM Model Codes states, “A court… Read more »
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© 2025 NACM – Court Manager; printed in the United States. Court Manager is published quarterly by the National Association for Court Management. Opinions expressed and procedures explained in the articles are not necessarily those of NACM or of the National Center for State Courts. Publication of advertising in the Court Manager does not imply NACM or NCSC endorsement or approval of the product or service. The association encourages submission of material that will interest or benefi t its members. Address correspondence to either the editor or the managing editor; inquiries about advertising should be directed to the managing editor. All rights are reserved to reject, condense, or edit any article or advertisement submitted for publication.