1985–2025
Our History: A Snapshot of NACM’s Milestones and Innovations
First Ten Years: 1985–1995
The National Association for Court Management (NACM) was formed following the merger of the National Association for Court Administration (NACA) and the National Association of Trial Court Administrators (NATCA) in 1985. The first years of NACM focused on organizational matters that integrated the practices and members of the two prior groups into the new association. Thus, the NACM logo, mission statement, operations and procedures manual, and formal strategic planning process were created. Particular attention was paid to ensuring representation by former NACA and NATCA members in all aspects of governance. An active campaign to recruit new members resulted in doubling the organization’s membership from 1,000 to 2,000 by 1995. The Award of Merit, which is presented annually to recognize distinguished service and outstanding contributions to court administration on a national basis, was created in 1986 with Geoff Gallas as the first honoree.
During the latter half of the decade, NACM worked to establish itself as a recognized professional organization and voice in court administration. The NACM Model Code of Conduct was adopted in 1990. Partnerships with groups such as the National Association of State Judicial Educators (NASJE), the Forum for the Advancement of Court Technology (FACT), state-level court administration associations, the Institute for Court Management (ICM), and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) were created, and NACM helped create the Justice Management Institute (JMI) in 1992. NACM co-sponsored the Second National Conference on Court Management in 1989 and the Third National Conference on Court Technology (CTC) in 1990. In 1993, a NACM seat was created on the NCSC Board of Directors.
In 1990, the NACM Board of Directors launched an extensive effort to survey its members about the future direction of the organization. This became known as the Delphi Study and resulted in many improvements, most visibly in prioritizing education, diversity, publications, and communication. As a result, two special committees were created: the Professional Development Advisory Committee (PDAC), which focused on setting educational priorities for the future, including guidelines for educational sessions, publications, and training events; and the Publications Study Committee, which focused on enhancing existing publications and creating substantive guides for the profession. In 1992, a State Justice Institute (SJI) grant was awarded to NACM to deliver the first regional conference in Baltimore, Maryland, which thereafter became the model for NACM’s midyear conferences. In 1992, NACM published financial and personnel guides and initiated the creation of annual mini-guides in subsequent years (e.g., a glossary of legal terms and media guide in 1993).
In 1995, NACM celebrated its 10th anniversary at the annual conference in Chicago with the theme “A Decade of Excellence: A Future of Opportunity.”
The Second Decade: 1995–2005
During this period, NACM significantly advanced the field of judicial administration through a myriad of far-reaching initiatives, including the development of the seminal “Core Competency Curriculum Guidelines” (CCCGs), educational programs, publications, and strong partnerships with state and national court improvement organizations.
At the outset of this decade, the association secured a $200,000 SJI grant to develop the CCCGs, which have since become a foundational resource for the professional development of court managers. NACM’s reputation as the premier court management association became known worldwide with the 2002 publication of a complete set of core competency guidelines. NACM received the prestigious Howell Heflin Award for this expansive, groundbreaking series of publications developed by the association’s PDAC over several years.
In 1996, NACM launched the first association website. NACM publications, communications, and membership services were also expanded during this period. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, Court Manager published “Court System Information Technology Priorities,” a report of the National Task Force on Court Automation and Integration and initiatives of the Homeland Security and the Global Justice Information Advisory Committee; five commissioned papers from the Third National Symposium on Court Management; and an issue on international perspectives in judicial administration. Other publications included mini-guides on disaster recovery planning and public information programs for courts. Color graphics were added to Court Manager, and the Court Communique publication was also enhanced.
NACM continued to expand its prominent role as a trusted leader in the administration of justice and advocacy for state trial courts through enhanced relationships with the federal government, the Conference of Chief Justices, the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), the American Judges Association (AJA), the National Judicial College (NJC), NCSC, NASJE, JMI, and other court improvement organizations. The association also hosted joint conferences with the National Conference of Bankruptcy Clerks (NCBC), the Federal Court Clerks Association (FCCA), and the AJA.
On the education front, NACM held well-attended national conferences on timely and pressing issues such as access to justice, customer service, court-community collaboration, public trust and confidence, and courts as learning organizations. The association provided guidance to ICM on educational programming and partnered with Michigan State University (MSU) to establish a court manager certification program. NACM’s 20th anniversary was celebrated at the 2005 annual conference in San Francisco, California.
The Third Decade: 2005–2015
During this decade, NACM prioritized strengthening justice system partnerships. The first was with MSU. This partnership led to MSU accepting credits from NACM courses held at conferences for both degree and certification programs. Another strong partnership was developed through a memorandum of understanding with the American Institute for Architects Academy for Justice Architecture (AIA). AIA went on to develop and present courses on courthouse design and construction at several conferences. A strong affiliation was also started with the National Council of Juvenile Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ). That affiliation continues today. Our partnership with NCSC was expanded to enlist their assistance in conference planning. Toward the end of this decade, NACM renewed its partnership with the International Association for Court Administration (IACA). A concept for a joint conference was approved and realized in 2017. A partnership with COSCA, NCSC, and NACM fulfilled the goal of reconstituting the Joint Technology Committee.
The second major initiative during this decade was the research and adoption of a six-point National Agenda. This agenda or strategic initiative included the following:
- Emphasizing caseflow management improvements
- Sustaining excellence in difficult budget times
- Enhancing public perceptions of the courts and increasing community collaboration
- Promoting improved court leadership and governance
- Preparing for and responding to trends
- Supporting professional court management education (two levels)
- In-service education targeting NACM Core Competencies
- University and college-level programs conferring a certificate or degree
This strategic National Agenda guided the association for over six years.
The most significant accomplishment of this decade was that NACM realized that the core competencies developed by the association were now 20 years old, and there had been significant societal changes during that period. As a result, NACM set out a major goal to update the core competencies. Nearly half a million dollars in funding was secured from SJI and the Bureau of Justice Assistance for this purpose. NACM contracted with American University, JMI, and Registered Creative to research, rewrite, and repackage its core competencies. The result was the creation of three modules — Vision, Principle, and Practice — and 13 competencies. The new core competencies were released in full in 2014.
NACM continued its cutting-edge leadership role by supporting world-class conferences, publications, and initiatives. NACM updated its Model Code of Conduct and updated its website to include an ethics section. Distance learning initiatives were realized by live-streaming conference sessions and posting those videos online for court managers to view worldwide. Two significant achievements were the creation of an Early Career Professionals (ECP) initiative and the adoption of a diversity and inclusion resolution. The association also made its first foray into the world of social media. NACM provided guidance to courts nationwide through the publication of several important documents: “Managing Courts in Lean Budget Times” and guides on technology, human trafficking, and elders in the courts. The last development was the release of the guide detailing the revised NACM CORE®.
The Fourth Decade: 2015–2025
Over the past decade, NACM has undergone a dynamic transformation by embracing change, innovation, and inclusivity to better serve court professionals across the country. Beginning in 2015, NACM redefined its identity by updating its tagline from “Committed to Excellence” to the more mission-focused “Strengthening Court Professionals.” That same year, it launched the updated NACM core competencies and secured an official trademark for the NACM CORE®, solidifying its commitment to professional development.
In 2017, NACM modernized its digital footprint with the launch of a refreshed website and transitioned its Court Manager publication to an electronic format. It also co-hosted a landmark joint conference with the IACA in Washington, D.C., emphasizing global collaboration.
The organization continued to break new ground with the inaugural State of the Profession address in 2018 and the launch of the “Court Leader’s Advantage” podcast in 2019, further expanding its communication platforms. That year also saw the introduction of the NACM CORE® Champion Program, NACM-branded swag, and a new partnership with Court Information Technology Officers Consortium (CITOC) to recognize innovation through the NACM/CITOC Technology Awards.
Responding to the pandemic, NACM held its first virtual conference in 2020, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. The following years brought a renewed focus on equity and inclusion, with the establishment of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and the board’s participation in its first facilitated “Courageous Conversation” in 2021.
Collaborating with NCJFCJ, NACM launched the #WeToo education modules in 2022, addressing critical issues in the justice system. In 2023, NACM began hosting regional CORE® training events, starting in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and expanding to Washington, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, and Vermont.
Most recently, in 2024, NACM introduced its first interactive electronic resource, an artificial intelligence guide, to help courts navigate emerging technology, with a commitment to ongoing updates. Across this period, NACM has also produced numerous vital publications on topics including behavioral health, adult guardianship, plain language, domestic violence, and user-centered court practices.
Through these milestones, NACM continues to lead, educate, and empower those who serve the courts — demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and the evolving needs of justice professionals.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Four NACM past presidents collaborated in writing this history. The format selected was a decade-by-decade approach. Authorship is established as follows:
The First Ten Years — Norman Meyer
Norman Meyer is a court administration expert after a career as a trial court administrator in the state and federal U.S. courts. Mr. Meyer has written and spoken widely on judicial administration in the United States and abroad and is currently writing a court management blog (https://courtleader.net/vantage-point). He previously served as Vice President for the North American region of the International Association for Court Administration, is a Past President and recipient of the Award of Merit of the National Association for Court Management, and has served on the Board of Directors of the National Center for State Courts. He has experience working with many foreign judiciaries, especially in the Russian Federation, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Albania. He received his M.S. in Judicial Administration from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and a B.A. in political science and Russian studies from the University of New Mexico.
The Second Decade — Marcus Reinkensmeyer
Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer is the Dean for the Institute for Court Management (ICM) Fellows Program, National Center for State Courts. He recently retired from the position of Deputy Director for the Administrative Office of the Courts, Supreme Court of Arizona, having previously served as the Director of the Court Services Division. Previously, Marcus served as the court administrator, chief deputy court administrator and director of judicial information systems for the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. In the State of Illinois, Marcus served as assistant director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (Court Services Division), court administrator (17th Judicial Circuit), assistant superintendent of juvenile detention and a probation officer.
Marcus serves as a board member for the North American Regional Board of the International Association for Court Administration and is the Book Review Editor for the International Journal on Court Administration. He serves on the Board for the Arizona Bar Foundation. Marcus is a past president of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) and the Arizona Courts Association, and former editor of the Court Manager. Marcus serves as faculty for the Institute for Court Management and adjunct faculty for the National Judicial College. His articles appear in Judicature, The Court Manager, Justice System Journal, Future Trends in State Courts, the Judges Journal, Arizona Attorney, the ABA’s JD Record, the Practice of Law Chronicle, International Journal on Court Administration and The Retrospective of Courthouse Design.
Marcus holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University. He is a recipient of the NCSC’s Warren E. Burger Award, the NACM Award of Merit, the Judicial Management Institute’s Ernest C. Friesen Award, the ICM Award of Merit, the ICM Star Award and the Arizona Supreme Court’s Distinguished Service Award.
The Third Decade — Jude Del Preore
Jude Del Preore presently serves as a court consultant and trainer. He retired from his position with the NJ Courts in 2019 after four decades of service. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Del Preore served as Trial Court Administrator in Burlington County, New Jersey. In that position, he was responsible for managing and coordinating the operations of a judicial district, including financial management, human resources, information systems, case coordination, caseflow management, probation services (including child support enforcement), jury utilization, facilities, records management, and statistical analysis. He is a certified trainer and has served as an adjunct faculty member at Seton Hall Law School, Michigan State University Judicial Administration Program, the Institute for Court Management, two county colleges, and the New Jersey State Administrative Office of the Courts Training and Organizational Development Unit. Mr. Del Preore completed his undergraduate education at Rutgers University and a master’s degree program in Public Administration at Kean University. He has completed the Court Executive Development Program of the National Center for State Courts Institute for Court Management and is certified as a Fellow. Mr. Del Preore has published numerous articles in the area of court and volunteer management. He has delivered training programs on transformational leadership, purposes of courts, executive decision making, staff motivation and customer service in a government setting. For his outstanding achievements in the field, he has been recognized in the Warren E. Burger Society of the National Center for State Courts, Who’s Who in the East and Biltmore’s Who’s Who among Executives and Professionals. He has also served as president of the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management and the National Association for Court Management (NACM). As NACM Past President, he served as liaison to the American Bar Association Task Force on Preservation of the Justice System. He was awarded the 2015 Institute for Court Management’s Star Award for his contributions to judicial branch education. In 2017, Jude received NACM’s highest recognition – The Award of Merit.
The Fourth Decade — Jeffrey Tsunekawa
Director of Court Services | Texas Office of Court Administration
Jeffrey Tsunekawa is currently the Director of Court Services at the Texas Office of Court Administration, where he oversees a division that prepares legislative reports, responds to proposed legislation and provides administrative and technical support to courts across the State of Texas. The division also provides remote interpreters, court reporters, oversees state bail and pretrial programs, has a team of auditors that audits guardianship casefiles, has an established state court security program, provides consulting services and oversees 200 specialty courts. Prior to that, he held administrative and managerial roles for Seattle Municipal Court and King County Superior Court in Washington State. Mr. Tsunekawa received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences from Washington State University in 2007, and a Master of Public Administration from Seattle University in 2016. He is also a 2016 Fellow of the Institute for Court Management with the National Center for State Courts. He has been a member of the National Association for Court Management (NACM) since 2007. He served as President from 2022 to 2023.
Special thanks to Erin Carr, NACM Association Manager, for all of her assistance on this project.
