On May 1, Elizabeth Clement succeeded Mary McQueen as president of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). NCSC’s mission is to drive innovation and progress in courts and justice systems while working collaboratively with other judicial leaders, including the Conference of Chief Justices, the Conference of State Court Administrators, and NACM, in pursuit of its goals.
McQueen had assumed the role of NCSC president in July 2004 and announced her intention to retire in August of last year, after serving as president for 20 years. Clement becomes the fifth president in the organization’s history, and the second judge to fill the role.
“Beth is an outstanding generational leader and an ideal President for NCSC to drive innovation and progress in our state courts and justice systems,” said Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush in a news release announcing Clement’s selection. Rush served as Chair of NCSC’s presidential search committee and a former NCSC board chair.
“Beth has worked as a problem-solver in every branch of government and has significant experience with state court administration. The board is confident that Beth will lead NCSC into a new era as we continue to improve access to justice for all,” said Rush.
Clement has extensive state court experience. She joined the Michigan Supreme Court in November 2017, becoming the 113th justice and the 11th woman to serve on the bench. In November 2018, she was elected by the voters of Michigan to an eight-year term. In November 2022, she was chosen unanimously by her colleagues to serve as Chief Justice, making her the seventh woman to step into that role.
“I am honored to serve as NCSC’s next president,” said Clement. “As a witness to NCSC’s important initiatives, I am excited to work with the organization’s talented team to extend the reach of its critical work. I look forward to building on NCSC’s strong services as we strengthen judicial systems across the country and the world, enhancing accessibility, transparency, and efficiency.”
Clement has worked directly with the legislative and executive branches to establish the Michigan judiciary’s annual budget and enact legislation focused on judicial branch improvements. She has also coordinated policy and process with state and local partners.
While on the Michigan Supreme Court, Clement served as co-liaison to the State Court Administrative Office Department of Child Welfare Services, which provides assistance to juvenile courts on child welfare matters, including child protective proceedings, foster care, adoption, termination of parental rights, permanency outcomes, and data collection and analysis. Clement also served as the liaison to more than 200 problem-solving courts in the state of Michigan and the Michigan Judicial Institute.
Prior to her election to the court, Clement served as Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor of Michigan, advising on a wide variety of legal, legislative, and policy matters. Her duties included working with the Attorney General’s Office on litigation affecting the state of Michigan, negotiating tribal compacts and settlement agreements, and interviewing and recommending appointees to Court of Appeals and Supreme Court judicial vacancies.
Clement previously served as legal counsel in the Michigan Senate, where she provided legal research, analysis, and advice on legislation and management of the office. In addition, she was responsible for the State Senate advice and consent process including providing reports and recommendations on appointees. She also served in the Senate Majority Policy Office, where she provided analysis and research to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senate Health Policy Committee, and the Senate Local and State Affairs Committee.
Clement began her legal career in private practice, representing individuals in the areas of family law, adoption, probate, estate planning, and criminal law. She was licensed to the State Bar of Michigan in 2002. She graduated from the Michigan State University College of Law that same year, where she served as an executive member of the Moot Court Board. She attended Michigan State University on an academic scholarship and graduated in 1999 with a B.A. in political science.
Clement knows that she is joining the organization at a challenging moment. “It is imperative that our branch of government, the judicial branch of government, is nonpartisan,” Clement said in a March interview with Law360.com. “You have states across the country that are red or blue or purple — none of that matters when it comes to the judicial branch.”
“In our state courts is where most people, everyday people, deal with the problems that they’re facing. I’ve…had the opportunity to work with the National Center over the years, and seeing the work that they provide and the services that they provide to help drive all state courts toward innovation and progress and really thinking outside the box of how we can serve the public better,” Clement said in that same interview.
“This is an opportunity to help lead that positive change across the country, and not just in the state of Michigan,” she continued. “That’s work that I’ve been doing with my colleagues and with the tremendous staff in Michigan, and this is an opportunity to be able to do that and take it nationwide.”
As she begins her tenure, Clement has identified several priorities for NCSC, including listening to the needs of state court leaders and building actionable strategies to meet those needs; revitalizing its mission-driven purpose through increased staff engagement; and diversifying its funding streams.
Clement knows she has big shoes to fill. McQueen departs the organization after two decades leading NCSC.
“Serving as NCSC’s president has been the highest honor of my career,” said McQueen. “I am incredibly grateful to NCSC’s team and am proud of all we have accomplished. Now is the right time to transition our leadership, and I look forward to assisting NCSC in entering a new chapter.”
McQueen was named president of NCSC in July 2004 after having served as Washington’s state court administrator for 17 years. During her tenure, McQueen improved court operations to better serve the public and strengthened global justice institutions through strategic collaborations. Under McQueen’s leadership, NCSC has worked closely with state courts to develop groundbreaking initiatives, including the Civil Justice Initiative, the COVID Rapid Response Team, the Harvard Executive Session for State Court Leaders in the 21st Century, and the Judicial Branch Leadership Academy. Additionally, McQueen has spearheaded pilot projects around the country on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to hybrid hearings, which became critical during the recent pandemic.
“On behalf of the board, I would also like to express my deep appreciation to Mary McQueen for her leadership over the past 20 years. Under Mary’s stewardship, we have meaningfully driven innovation and progress in courts and justice systems,” NCSC Chairman Matthew B. Durrant, Chief Justice of Utah, said.
NACM has announced an Original Resolution in recognition of Mary McQueen’s storied tenure with the Center, which states:
Whereas, Mary McQueen has dedicated over two decades of exemplary service as President of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), having begun her tenure in August 2004; and
Whereas, Ms. McQueen’s leadership has been marked by a steadfast commitment to improving the administration of justice both nationally and globally, fostering innovations that have significantly enhanced court operations and public trust in the justice system; and
Whereas, under Ms. McQueen’s guidance, NCSC has successfully initiated groundbreaking programs, including the Civil Justice Initiative, the COVID Rapid Response Team, and the Harvard Executive Session for State Court Leaders in the 21st Century, all of which have advanced the effectiveness and efficiency of the courts; and
Whereas, Ms. McQueen has led critical pilot projects addressing contemporary issues such as artificial intelligence and hybrid hearings, demonstrating her foresight and adaptability, especially during the challenges posed by the recent pandemic; and
Whereas, Ms. McQueen’s prior court experience in Washington, the District of Columbia, and Kentucky, as well as her leadership roles within the Conference of State Court Administrators and the American Bar Association have further solidified her contributions to judicial administration; and
Whereas, Ms. McQueen has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the American Judicature Society’s Herbert Harley Award and the ABA Judicial Division’s Robert B. Yegge Award, recognizing her significant contributions to judicial reform and public awareness; and
Whereas, NACM’s Board of Directors and its members express their deepest gratitude to Ms.McQueen for her unwavering dedication, visionary leadership, and the transformative legacy she leaves behind;
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the National Association for Court Management formally recognizes and honors Mary McQueen for her outstanding contributions to the field of court management and the administration of justice, and extends its best wishes for her retirement and future endeavors.
Be it further resolved, that this resolution be included in the official records of NACM, and a copy be presented to Ms. McQueen as a token of our appreciation.
On behalf of the NACM Court Manager Editorial Team, we wish Ms. McQueen all the best, and look forward to working with incoming President Clement.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Melinda Brooks is the specialized dockets manager, Franklin County Municipal Court, Columbus, Ohio.
Joseph D’Amico currently serves as the trial court administrator for the 17th Judicial Circuit Court, covering Broward County, Fla.
Jessica Humphreys serves as the superior court director for Yakima County Superior Court in Yakima, Wash.
