Court Leader's Advantage

In today's highly polarized political climate, courts must be prepared to face not only criticism inside the courtroom, but also relentless scrutiny in the court of public opinion. This month, we look at increasingly aggressive public behavior against judges and court staff. Are all we prepared? Does using the criminal justice system ever turn into revenge?  Today’s Panel TJ BeMent, Court Administrator for the 10th Judicial Administrative District in Athens, GeorgiaChristine Christopherson, Director, Judicial College, Administrative Office of Courts, Montgomery, AlabamaPaul Flemming, Director, Supreme Court Public Information Office, Tallahassee, FloridaTate Wooding, Director of Public Relations, Franklin County Municipal Clerk of Court, Columbus, OhioBecome part of the Conversation. Submit your comments and questions to: CLAPodcast@nacmnet.org 

A Question of Ethics: A Conversation on Courts and Ethics September 1st, 2026, EpisodeCourt professionals are committed to fairness, impartiality, and equal access, principles reflected in the NACM Model Code of Conduct. Yet many Americans believe the legal system operates on two tracks, one for those with financial resources and another for those without. This perception extends from landlord-tenant cases to family law, debt collection, consumer disputes, and other civil matters. Wealthier parties can afford attorneys, expert witnesses, and other resources, while lower-income individuals must often navigate complicated legal procedures alone. Does thispublic perception of a “two-tiered” system of justice have merit? If so, can courts do more to counter this perception? Courts cannot eliminate economic inequality; they canimprove how people experience the justice system. Many courts have created self-service areas where self-represented litigants can come to learn about court procedures and become more famili

Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode originally released July 15, 2025From the Archives: We’re revisiting this important conversation about the National Open Court Data Standards (NODS) project. Although this episode was originally released in July 2025, the challenge of creating accessible, standardized court data remains just as important today. One of the major challenges facing state trial courts today is the disturbing lack of accurate national statistical data. Beneath the surface of our justice system lies a troubling truth: we often don’t know, we can’t know, what’s really happening. How many cases do our courts handle? What kinds? How efficiently? Without reliable data, we are left to make educated guesses in the dark. This absenceof clarity is not accidental, it is the result of a decentralized system of justice. Some of the results include: Lack of Uniform Court CodingWhat one court calls a “hearing,” another might call a “conference.” These differences seem small, but they add up to a patchwor

July 21st 2026, Court Leader’s Advantage PodcastEpisode 106AI promises greater efficiency, lower costs, and better public service—but it also raises concerns about privacy, bias, job displacement, and accountability. This panel explores where courts should draw the line.Artificial intelligence is currently having a difficult moment. Hardly a day goes by without headlines highlighting a new AI concern. Consider just a few of the issues currently dominating public conversation: • Corporate leaders are investing billions in AI while simultaneously announcing layoffs, fueling fearsabout job displacement and economic insecurity.• Communities across the country are opposing the construction of new data centers due to concernsabout their massive consumption of water and electricity.• Educators and researchers worry that AI has weakened students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills by making information and answers available almostinstantaneously.• Privacy advocates warn that AI enables governments, employer

June 16th, 2026, Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast EpisodeWhen former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, real estate executiveGloria Caulfield, and music executive Scott Borchetta praised artificial intelligence during recent commencement addresses, graduates responded not with applause but with boos. For a growing number of Americans, especially youngerworkers entering the workforce, AI is no longer viewed primarily as a tool of innovation and opportunity. Rather, it is increasingly seen as a threat to jobs, economic security, and public trust.The concerns are multifaceted. AI's massive demand forelectricity and water raises environmental questions. Its capacity to generate misinformation and "hallucinated" facts raises concerns about public trust and the integrity of information. Most significant for Generation Z, however, is the fear that AI will fundamentally alter the job market andundermine economic security.Many technology leaders appear largely unmoved by theseconcerns. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, h

Question of Ethics: A Conversation of Courts and Ethics:June 2nd Court ManagerThis episode of the Question of Ethics Conversation examines a fundamental ethical challenge facing court professionals today: how are their ethical responsibilities evolving inan age of social media with an increasingly politicization? Canon Four of the Model Code focuses on conduct that is unmistakably political: attending campaign rallies, canvassing for judges running for election, or advocating for ballot initiatives within the courthouse. We now operate in a landscape where nearly every issue is viewed through a political lens. Statements that once would have been considered civic, educational, or banal are now often interpreted as partisan. Today, they can trigger assumptions of perceived bias.At its core, Canon Four rests on a critical assumption: that court professionals can maintain a private sphere in which they exercise their First Amendment rights, separate from their official role. Nearly 40 years later, that assumpti

It seems there is a growing disconnect between courts and the public, which directly affects the public’s trust and confidence in our court system. Judges and court staff routinely speak to the public. They frequently speak to small, targeted groups, such as business leaders, civic organizations, or students in schools. Thesepublic outreach campaigns reach dozens, if not hundreds, of community members. At the same time, media voices reach thousands, even millions. The nightly news and programs such as Dateline,America’s Most Wanted, and 48 Hours shape how people see crime and our courts. These stories can often leave the impression that crime is rampant and that the courts are too lenient.  We, court professionals, often rely on data and statistics to explain the courts. In fact, crime today is lower than in the 1990s. Americans are far less likely to be victims of crime than 30 years ago. Violent crime specifically has fallen for the pastcouple of years. The FBI reported a 4.5% drop in 2024, with murder down

The 2026 NACM Midyear Conference brought together court professionals from across the country. They came to share best practices, confront common challenges, and explore new ideas. The theme of the midyear conference Preserving the Rule of Law and Judicial Independence, connects to an important national milestone. In 2026, our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.  This moment calls us to reflect on our justice system’s founding principles. It challenges us to recommit ourselves to those basic tenets. We, as court professionals, play a vital role in this effort. Every day, we ensure that our justice system is fair, accessible, and accountable to all. The midyear conference brought together both experienced leaders and emerging voices who care deeply about the future of our courts. This month, we ask court professionals a simple question: What was your biggest takeaway from the 2026 NACM Midyear Conference?  We examine what court professionals can do to protect the Rule of Law and Judicial Independence at a

Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Series March, 17, 2026, Episode Career development is essential for both individual success and the long-term health of any organization. There are several obvious benefits to an organization having asolid career development program. Improved Performance and ResultsWhen people keep learning, they get better at their jobs, they produce higher quality work, and are better problem-solvers.Increased Employee Engagement and RetentionEmployees feel more valued when they can see a future for themselves. They are more likely to stay and give their best.Organizations Can More Easily Adapt to ChangeCareer development helps staff stay current with business trends and adjust to new roles. Why, then, do so many organizations, including courts, struggle to implement effective career development programs? Competing Business PrioritiesCareer development often feels less urgent than meeting case processing targets, struggling with budget shortfalls, and dealing with unexpected events such as h

Question of Ethics: A Conversation on Courts and EthicsMarch 4th, 2026Courts stand at a crossroads between tradition andnecessity. On the one hand, we are guardians of legal boundaries, carefully distinguishing who may practice law and what constitutes legal advice. On the other hand, we are confronted with an undeniable reality: in many locationsaround our country, people with legal problems never reach the courthouse door, often because:DistanceThey live miles away from the courthouse or even any legal helpAffordabilityThey cannot afford to get the legal help they need RecognitionThey do not even see their problem as “legal” or the courthouse as a place that can help. As unmet legal needs grow, our community is asking courtsto do more, to do things differently, with fewer resources, and with fewer assumptions about how justice is accessed. These questions invite us to wrestle with uncomfortable issues. If non-attorney legal advocates are helping close critical legal gaps in selected areas around the country

Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast EpisodeFebruary 17th, 2026Alaska has quietly become a brave path-finder incourt-based artificial intelligence. Last month, the state released the Alaska Virtual Assistant (AVA), an AI chatbot designed to help court users navigate the probate court system. The path to launch, however, was anything but smooth.Delays piled up, expectations collided with reality, and media coverage has been more skeptical than supportive. So, what actually happened behind the scenes?This month, we sit down with Alaska’s court leaders to explore their bold new initiative, AVA, an innovative tool designed to help court users navigate the complexities of probate. We look beyond the headlines to examine what Alaskalearned from launching AI in the courts, the challenges they encountered, and the lessons every court should consider before embarking on a similar journey. Today’s Moderator  Roger Rand, Technology Manager, Multnomah County Circuit Court, Portland, Oregon, Current Vice President, National A

Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode ReleaseDate: January 20th, 2026Workplace mediation is rapidly becoming an accepted management tool across the U.S. Organizations facing rising conflict, legal exposure, and employee burnout are increasingly turning to mediation to resolve disputes and restore working relationships. In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received more than 88,000 new discrimination and retaliation charges, a 9 percent increase from the prior year. At the same time, analysts project that the workplace mediation and conflict-resolution market will grow by more than 7 percent annually through 2030. These trends point to a simple reality: workplace conflict is increasing, and organizations are searching for better ways to manage it. The modern workplace itself is driving this change. Hybrid work, remote teams, generational turnover, and a more diverse workforce are creating new kinds of misunderstandings and tensions, many of which do not fit neatly into tradi

Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Series, December 16th, 2025, EpisodeThere are strong arguments favoring the selection of court managers based on objective merit-focused criteria criteria. While there is little desire to expand the “merit system” to themanagerial level, hiring and promotion decisions rooted in proven competence and performance can certainly strengthen both leadership quality and institutional integrity. Yet just beneath the surface lies a dilemma courts have wrestled with for decades: what exactly counts as “merit,” and how objective can we really be in a system shaped by politics, personalities, and pressure? Is managerial hiring grounded on objective criteria even possible in our court system? Can the administrative machinery ever be fully insulated from the political milieu in which courts operate? This tension creates a shadow over the ideal of purely merit-based hiring, as political alignments and institutional loyalties can sometimes weigh as heavily as managerial skill.  Selection base

A Question of Ethics: A Conversation on Courts and EthicsNovember 20th, 2025Across America, many communities are in what scholars call “legal deserts,” areas with few, if any, available attorneys to meet the legal needs of local citizens. Rural towns and poorurban neighborhoods often lack affordable access to lawyers, leaving residents without practical guidance for solving their legal problems. This shortage frustrates individuals seeking justice, and undermines confidence in the justice system itself.  It widens the gap between those who can afford representation and those who cannot. To help bridge this gap, a few states (for example, Utah, Alaska, and now Oregon), are experimenting with using non-attorney legal advocates. These are trained professionals, often known as Community Justice Workers, who work under the guidance of a practicing attorney. Others, in Arizona for example, are called Certified Community Legal Advocates. They are untethered from a practicing lawyer. These non-attorney advocates can

Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast November 18, 2025, EpisodeMentorship isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a game-changer. It bridges the gap between experience and ambition, turning goals of “someday” into measurable progress today. A great mentor can:• Share hard-won wisdom and real-world perspective• Help navigate tough choices with clarity and confidence• Accelerate growth by shortening the learning curve• Boost self-assurance and professional presence• Steer a mentee away from common pitfalls before they happen. But mentorship goes far beyond building skills. It helpsprofessionals feel seen, supported, and valued,  part of a larger purpose and community. In the workplace, a mentor can decode unwritten rules, clarify expectations, and open doors to meaningful opportunities. For emerging professionals, it’s often the spark that ignites a sense of possibility, revealing paths they never knew existed.Organizations that invest in mentoring don’t just growtalent, they grow loyalty, collaboration, and a culture of c

September 16th, 2025,  Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast EpisodeEmployee disengagement is a critical national issue, one that quietly undermines productivity, economic growth, and workplace culture across the United States. According to a2024 Gallup Corporation report:·      Only 33% of Employees are Actively Engaged in Their Work·      50% are Not Engaged They are going through the motions without energy or passion.·        17% are Actively Disengaged. They are, in somecases, sabotaging the efforts of their colleagues. These statistics paint a sobering portrait of a workforce in quiet crisis, where a majority of employees are not fully invested in their work. Gallup estimates the cost ofthis disengagement to the U.S. economy at over $1.9 trillion annually lost in productivity, absenteeism, turnover, and diminished performance. Managers point to employee shortcomings:Failure to Own Their Performance and Growth Many employees stop seeking challenges, feedback, or development. They become content to drift rather

August 19, 2025, Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode Many contend that tensions between larger general jurisdiction courts and smaller limited jurisdiction courts stem from disparities in resources, staffing, and technology.  Urban courts, with their towering caseloads, high-stakes criminal prosecutions, sprawling civil disputes, and complexlitigation, tend to attract greater funding, the best technology, and top-tier legal talent.In contrast, smaller suburban and rural courts, quietly manage everyday justice with limited staff and sometimesoutdated systems.  They can find themselves on the margins of statewide judicial planning. Urban courts are often the first to adopt new tools such as AI-assisted litigant self-help, virtual hearings, and real-time language translation. Smaller courts often watch from a distance, struggling with connectivity issues and budget constraints. Is this gap just technological or is it cultural? What works in a bustling city courthouse may falter in a courthouse where everyon

July 15th, 2025, Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast EpisodeOne of the major challenges facing state trial courts today is the disturbing lack of accurate national statistical data. Beneath the surface of our justice system lies a troubling truth: we often don’t know, we can’t know, what’s really happening.How many cases do our courts handle? What kinds? How efficiently? Without reliable data, we are left to make educated guesses in the dark. This absence of clarity is not accidental, it is the result of a decentralized system ofjustice.Some of the results include:Lack of Uniform Court CodingWhat one court calls a “hearing,” another might call a “conference.” These differences seem small, but they add up to a patchwork of mismatched codes, formats, and definitions across jurisdictions.Limited Data Transparency and Public AccessEven when data exists, it is often locked behind arcane systems, hard to find, and harder to interpret.Hurdles with Data SharingDisconnected technologies, legacy systems, and inconsistent

Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode June 17, 2025Civil case filings per capita have been declining nationally for decades. John Greacen and Alan Carlson explained this in their book, What Is Happening to State Trial Court Civil Filings?  The absolute number of civil filings in state courts has increased somewhat, however overall filings have not kept pace with population growth and have been in a long-term decline. Meanwhile, the National Center for State Courts' annual State of the State Courts poll reported that public trust and confidence in the state courts rose in 2024 to 63%. However, this figure has stagnated between 60% and 64% over the past four years.  These troubling numbers raise some important questions: How are people resolving their disputes? How are people now resolving their disputes? Are they, in fact, resolving them at all? One thing is certain: more and more, people are not turning to the courts, the traditional venue for peacefully settling conflict.What can we do about this tren

Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode May 20, 2025Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a futuristic concept, it is already reshaping how we live and work. Courts are no exception. With its immense power, AI is transforming the justice system in ways we could have only imagined a few years ago. Here’s how AI’s power is already making waves:Unmatched Efficiency: AI can produce polished reports, memos, and articles in mere minutes—dramatically reducing the time and effort needed for routine tasks.Instant Access to Information: AI enables litigants,families, and other court users, to engage in meaningful conversations about procedures without relying on human staff.Sharper Decision-Making: AI-driven insights are helping leaders make more informed, data-backed judicial and administrative decisions.Compelling Presentations: AI tools are enhancing professional presentations and transforming complex ideas into easily digestible information for audiences. Yet, with all this potential comes a need for caut