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 

Indiana’s Chief Justice Joins
 Board of National Court Reform Organization 

Williamsburg, VA (Oct. 15, 2003) – Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard has joined the Board of Directors of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), a non-profit organization that serves as a leader and a resource for the nation’s state courts.

“We are honored that Chief Justice Shepard has joined the National Center’s Board,” said Roger K. Warren, president of the National Center. “As a leader in the legal community, Chief Justice Shepard’s knowledge and experience are invaluable to the National Center. 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.”

Chief Justice Shepard also was elected first vice-president of the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ), of which the National Center serves as executive staff.  Established in 1949, CCJ is the primary voice for state courts before federal legislative and executive branches and works to promote legal reforms and improvements in state court administration.

Chief Justice Shepard’s commitment to improving the justice system is far reaching. For the past three years, he has worked closely with the National Center to help improve the judicial selection process, one of NCSC’s top initiatives.  Chief Justice Shepard has been designated by the Conference of Chief Justices to represent them over the next two years in the American Bar Association’s project to revise the Model Judicial Code, which includes reference to judicial election issues. Chief Justice Shepard took office in 1987 and has served as Chief longer than anyone in Indiana history. He was first appointed to the Indiana Supreme Court in 1985. Prior to that, he served on the Vanderburgh Superior Court bench from 1980 to 1985.

The National Center’s Board of Directors represents all levels and jurisdictions of state courts and the legal profession. 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 being driven by the National Center include judicial selection reform and increasing citizen participation in jury service.  

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