Workshop on Reducing Trial Court Delay in Metropolitan Courts will be held in Phoenix, Arizona on November 10 and 11, 2008.
It is sponsored by a number of court improvement organizations, including the National Conference of Metropolitan Courts. Court delegations attending the seminar include those from Anchorage, Pittsburgh, and Chicago. The Conference has a long history of fighting trial court delay in urban courts. This seminar is an example of a renewed commitment toward that effort. Look for more seminars in 2009. Other sponsors of the seminar include the National Center for State Courts, Institute for Court Management, The National Judicial College, the Arizona Supreme Court, Trial Courts of Maricopa County (Phoenix) Arizona, the Administrative Office of the Arizona Courts, and the National Association of Court Management. Professor Ernie Friesen, a major contributor to caseflow reform over the last forty years is a featured speaker. Other faculty include the Hon. William Dressel, President of the National Judicial College; David Steelman, Principal Management Consultant at the National Center; John Greacen, Greacen Associates, LLC; the Hon. Louraine Arkfeld, member of the ABA Board of Governors; the Hon. Robert D. Myers (ret), former Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County; and the Hon. Joseph Farina, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Florida in Miami/Dade County. Myers and Farina are NCMC Board members.
The Board of Directors of the National Conference will meet in Washington DC on Thursday, November 20, 2008, at the District of Columbia Superior Court.
The Board will be discussing a variety of matters, including proposed updates to the organization's bylaws, new strategic initiatives, and upcoming conferences in 2009 and 2010. Board members attending the meeting will conclude the day at the United States Supreme Court by attending the annual Rehnquist Dinner, hosted by U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts, honoring a state trial court leader who has made significant contributions to the advancement of judicial administration. This year's winner is Presiding Judge Jonathan Lippman, Appellate Division, First Judicial Department of the New York State Supreme Court.
