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

 Chief Judge of New York’s State Courts
Joins National Court Reform Organization

Williamsburg, VA., (Oct. 16, 2001) – Judge Judith Kaye, Chief Judge of the New York State Unified Court System, recently was named president-elect of the Conference of Chief Justices, which also positioned her to become the next chair of the National Center for State Courts’ Board of Directors. The National Center is an independent non-profit organization founded by Chief Justice Warren Burger that serves as a leader for court improvement for the nations state courts. Members of the Conference of Chief Justices hold standing positions on The National Center’s Board. 

“We are honored that Chief Judge Kaye has joined The National Center’s Board of Directors,” said Roger K. Warren, president of The National Center. “She has been such leader in the court community and has made a difference in the New York courts by embracing an innovative, problem-solving approach to justice. Chief Judge Kaye’s approach is less legalistic and more people-oriented, and the outcomes of the process are more successful. These factors are critical to improving the public’s trust and confidence in the courts, which is a major initiative of The National Center. Her knowledge and experience are invaluable to The National Center.”  

Judge Kaye’s willingness to rethink traditional roles of courts and lawyers has led to the creation of drug treatment courts that seek to halt the cycle that begins with drugs, moves to crime, and ends with jail. She also works with domestic violence courts that place a new emphasis on victim safety and offender accountability, and community courts that seek to restore neighborhoods in which the quality of life has been compromised by crime. 

Judge Kaye’s innovative approach to justice also has benefited the business community. In 1995, New York’s court system created a Commercial Division to promote cost-effective, business-dispute resolution through modern case management techniques, new technologies and ready access to alternative dispute resolution.

In 1999, Judge Kaye received The National Center’s William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence, which recognizes a judge who has demonstrated the highest quality of judicial excellence, including integrity, fairness, open-mindedness and intellectual courage.

The National Center for State Courts, founded in 1971, is dedicated to improving the administration of justice and provides leadership, research, technology, education and training to state courts. The National Center also has taken the lead on several key issues that face the justice system, such as public trust and confidence. Another national initiative being driven by The National Center includes the Civil Justice Reform Initiative, which is a multi-year program to address issues of access, complexity, costliness, and delay in civil proceedings.  

Chief Judge Annice M. Wagner of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals was named board chairperson, becoming the first African-American woman to lead The National Center’s board. Members of the Conference of Chief Justices, the Conference of State Court Administrators, and the National Association for Court Management hold standing positions on the board. 

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