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 

J.P. Morgan Chase and Company Recognized for

for 20 Years of Support for Helping to Improve Justice

Williamsburg, VA (Dec. 5, 2003) – J.P. Morgan Chase and Company was recognized Nov. 21 by the National Center for State Courts as a 20-year contributor to the National Center, which is dedicated to improving the administration of justice through leadership to the state courts. J.P. Morgan Chase and Company joined a group of more than 35 of America’s leading companies and law firms that have achieved this special distinction.

William McDavid, general counsel of J.P. Morgan Chase and Company, was presented with a Resolution of Appreciation at a recognition luncheon held in Washington, D.C. and attended by Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. Curtis Barnette, former chairman of Bethlehem Steel and current member of the National Center’s Board of Directors, presented the resolution. The law firms of Covington and Burling, and Baker and Daniels were also recognized this year for 20 year’s of support.

The National Center for State Courts, 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 former Chief Justice 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.

###