NEWS RELEASE

The National Center for State Courts
300 Newport Avenue · Williamsburg, Virginia  23185

Contact:
Lorri Montgomery
Communications Manager
The National Center for State Courts
757.259.1525 or lmontgomery@ncsc.dni.us 

Indiana's Chief Justice Named Chair-Elect
 of National Court Reform Organization

Williamsburg, VA (July 29, 2004) – Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard last week was named Chair-Elect of the National Center for State Courts’ (NCSC) Board of Directors and President-Elect of the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ), a national organization that represents the top judicial officers of the 50 states and U.S. territories, and of which the National Center serves as executive staff. Both positions are one-year terms. The appointments were made during the National Center’s Board meeting and CCJ’s annual conference, July 25 – 29 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

“Chief Justice Shepard has worked closely with the National Center for years, and we are honored that he has moved into a leadership position,” said Roger K. Warren, president of the National Center. “As a leader in the legal community, Chief Justice Shepard’s knowledge and experience are invaluable to the National Center. He cares deeply about the importance of the work of America’s state courts and the mission of The National Center as the preeminent national court reform organization.”

The National Center’s Board of Directors represents all levels and jurisdictions of state courts and the legal profession. During the Utah meetings, Chief Justice of Wisconsin Shirley S. Abrahamson was named Chair of the Board and President of CCJ. 

Chief Justice Shepard’s commitment to improving the justice system is far reaching. For years, he has worked closely with the National Center to help improve the judicial selection process, one of NCSC’s top initiatives. Chief Justice Shepard also was designated by the Conference of Chief Justices as their representative in the  American Bar Association’s project to revise the Model Judicial Code, which includes reference to judicial election issues. Chief Justice Shepard took office in 1987 and has served as Chief longer than anyone in Indiana history. He was first appointed to the Indiana Supreme Court in 1985. Prior to that, he served on the Vanderburgh Superior Court bench from 1980 to 1985.

The National Center, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a non-profit court reform organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership and service to the state courts. The National Center, founded in 1971 by the Conference of Chief Justices and Chief Justice of the United States Warren E. Burger, provides education, training, and technology, management, and research services to the nation’s state courts. The National Center also is taking the lead on several key issues facing the justice system. For example, it has established a major civil justice initiative, a multi-year project that is examining best practices in civil case management and how complex litigation procedures can be improved. Other national initiatives being driven by the National Center include judicial selection reform and increasing citizen participation in jury service.  

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