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 

Orange County Superior Court Administrator
 Receives National Award

Williamsburg, VA (March 10, 2004) –  Richelle Uecker, recently appointed assistant chief executive officer for the Superior Court of California, Orange County, has been presented the Distinguished Service Award by the National Center for State Courts. The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to a court administrator who has made significant contributions to the field of judicial administration or to the work of the National Center.

“Ms. Uecker’s contributions to improving the justice system are far-reaching,” said Roger K. Warren, president of The National Center. Prior to accepting the California position, Uecker served as deputy district administrator for the Fourth Judicial District in Hennepin County, Minneapolis, Minn. In that position, Uecker developed Quality and Achievement programs and was a key member of the district’s strategic planning initiatives. He was instrumental in planning and developing Hennepin County Court’s Public Service Level program that provides litigants, the community, and the bar association improved access to court services.

The National Center for State Courts, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a non-profit court reform organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice through 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 research, education, training and technology, management, and hands-on consulting 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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