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 

Judge Steve Leben Receives
 National Court Reform Organization Award  

Williamsburg, VA (June 6, 2002) – District Judge Steve Leben of the Johnson County District Court has been named recipient of the 2003 Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest awards given by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to a state trial judge who has made longstanding contributions to the improvement of the justice system and who has supported the mission of The National Center.

President of the National Center Roger K. Warren called Leben a “leader in the legal profession, who cares deeply about the importance of the work of America’s courts and the mission of The National Center as the preeminent national court reform organization.” 

Judge Leben has a proven record of dedication to the justice system. He has worked extensively in the areas of child custody, family law, administrative law, and civil procedure. Judge Leben also has dedicated much of his career to improving communication and sharing information within the legal profession. Since becoming editor-in-chief of the national legal journal Court Review in 1998, he has turned the publication into a primary outlet for scholars and legal practitioners.

Judge Leben joined the Johnson County District Court bench in 1993 and has served by designation on the Kansas Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals. Prior to joining the bench, Judge Leben worked in private practice specializing in civil litigation.

The National Center for State Courts, founded by Chief Justice Warren Burger in 1971, is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice and provides leadership, research, technology, education and training to the state courts. The National Center also is taking the lead on several key issues facing the justice system. For example, The National Center is working to improve public trust and confidence in the courts, reform the judicial selection process, develop a model policy on public access to court records, and improve pro se litigation.

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