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 

E. Leo Milonas Joins Board of National Court Reform Organization

Williamsburg, VA (Oct. 15, 2003) – E. Leo Milonas, partner with Pillsbury Winthrop, recently joined the Board of Directors for the National Center for State Courts, a non-profit organization that serves as a leader and a resource for the nation’s state courts. Milonas, who joined Pillsbury Winthrop in 1999 after serving several years in various capacities of the judiciary, specializes in litigation, complex commercial litigation, appeals, and alternative dispute resolution.

“We are very pleased that Mr. Milonas has agreed to join the National Center’s board,” said Roger K. Warren, president of the National Center. “As a leader with extensive background in the justice system, Mr. Milonas offers a wealth of experience in judicial administration. He cares deeply about the importance of the work of America’s state courts, and the mission of The National Center as the preeminent national court reform organization.”

Milonas brings a rich and diverse background in the legal profession to the National Center’s Board. He served as associate judge for the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court from 1982 to 1998; he was chief administrative judge for the State of New York from 1993 to 1995, deputy chief administrative judge for New York City Courts from 1979 to 1981, and he served as state Supreme Court justice from 1978 to 1979. Prior to that, Milonas served as acting Supreme Court justice, and supervising judge for New York County Criminal Court and the Bronx Criminal Court.

In addition, Milonas is active in numerous organizations that contribute to improving the judicial system. He’s chair of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, a past member of the Conference of State Court Administrators, and a member of the Governor’s Departmental Judicial Screening Committee, to name a few.

This will mark Milonas’ second time on the National Center’s Board; He was a member from 1974 to 1980.

The National Center’s Board of Directors represents all levels and jurisdictions of state courts and the legal profession. Aside from Milonas, new board members include: Charles B. Renfrew, former vice president of Legal Affairs for Chevron Oil Company, and Ruben O. Carrerou, court administrator of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida. Ronald M. George, Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, serves as Chair of the Board; Shirley S. Abrahamson, Chief Justice of Wisconsin, is Chair-Elect; and Judith S. Kaye, Chief Judge of New York is Immediate Past President.

The National Center, 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 Chief Justice of the United States 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 driven by the National Center include judicial selection reform and increasing citizen participation in jury service.  

###