Andrea L. Ribando
Chief Judicial Administrator
Second Parish Court for the Parish of Jefferson
2 Judges, 6 Traffic Hearing Officers
NACM Member Since 2023
NACM Committee: Communications Committee, 2 years
Describe your journey to becoming a Chief Judicial Administrator and the number of years you’ve served in this role.
I was a music teacher for 13 years and then went to law school. After working as a lawyer for 20 years, I clerked part-time for the judge at court. As a lawyer in a solo practice for a while, I was always on, with no time to reflect. The court wanted someone they knew to fill the open Chief Judicial Administrator position. This was a good time for me to have a more stable position, to have time to think, implement projects, and see them through. I enjoy being an administrator. Although it has been three years, I still consider myself a newbie.
How has your NACM membership influenced or impacted your career?
The literature, webinars, and material have me constantly learning. Dawn Palermo invited me to join the Communications Committee, where I’ve recorded the Court Express and am learning to use the software.
Describe key takeaways from NACM conferences and/or training and how you used them in your work.
The conferences are well thought out and organized. Information from a conference about Sovereign Citizens has been helpful. Also, information learned about cross-training and how it fits into the system is going well. I am always finding things from NACM that help in my day-to-day, from reports to programs for judges.
What has challenged you the most in your role, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge in my role has been guiding the implementation of new procedures across different departments. For example, the information department is still working on transferring calls more professionally. I’ve worked with the team to practice transferring calls and developed a refresher workshop to get it right.
It’s also challenging to deal with the strict policy prohibiting the public from bringing their cell phones into the building. I’m still working through it by offering suggestions to the judges to make them feel better about lessening the policy.
What is the best part of your job?
Job security, and the way I can look at my calendar to see the predictability of the day.
How do you unwind after a stressful day or week?
— Singing with the New Orleans Vocal Arts (NOVA) Chorale
— Playing games with my husband and kids
— Walking
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Carlene Redmond is court program administrator, Juvenile Court Unit, Restorative Programs Division, Cobb County, Georgia.
