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44 Judges J. 1 (2005)

handle is hein.journals/judgej44 and id is 1 raw text is: INTODUTIO New Initiatives and Goals of the National Center for State Courts By Mary Campbell McQueen 11 ( 1matm an0i 0tw . . . ntri1tes, wore than any \ impresstij upon the minds 4 the peopte, aject an, esteen, andi-everence toward the gover nnent. The iederatist Papers, 7N 17 Mary Campbell McQueen is presi- dent of the National Center for State Courts in Williamsburg, Virginia. She can be reached at mmcqueen@mcsc.dmi.us. n December 1787, Alexander Hamilton accurately predicted the significant role the American judicial system would play in developing and preserving the new republic. Hamilton's words still serve as inspiration for today's judges, court executives, and lawyers. Although 98 per- cent of the nation's court business is con- ducted in the state courts, the public's attention tends to focus on the federal courts, most notably the U.S. Supreme Court. But this is changing. The state courts have become the final arbiters of state constitutional law, attracting the attention of scholars, the general public, and the legislative and executive branches of government. As the work of the state courts has become more visible, they have become more efficient and effective. In part, this is because of the efforts of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). Over the past thirty years, the NCSC has enabled state courts to share information about innovative programs in judicial administration through conferences, seminars, technical assistance, educa- tion, and basic and applied research. Since its inception, the NCSC has remained unique among organizations that serve the interests of the judicial branch of government. Unlike other court-related organizations, the NCSC was organized by, is controlled by, and is responsible to the courts of the states, commonwealths, and the American territories. The need for a national center for state and local courts came to light during the historic first National Conference on the Judiciary in Williamsburg, Virginia, in March 1971. Initially, the conference was planned to be a modest gathering to discuss judicial reform in Virginia. Over time, the confer- ence was expanded to include representa- tives from each state, turning it into an event of national significance. Attendees included President Richard M. Nixon, Chief Justice of the United States Warren E. Burger, and U.S. Attorney General John Mitchell, along with representatives from all sectors of the legal community. This convocation of more than 450 participants was the largest gathering of jurists, court execu- tives, lawyers, and public representatives to ever gather to discuss the administra- tion of justice in the state courts. During the conference, Burger out- lined the overriding need for a central resource to serve the nation's state courts. In fact, Burger's proposal echoed and expanded upon remarks by Nixon, who had raised the issue of a central resource for state courts in his opening address. The Chief Justice then formally introduced the concept of a centralized resource to the conference participants on the following day. As a result of this support and the clear consensus of the conferees, a resolution to form a nation- al center for state courts was unani- mously adopted on March 14, 1971. Charged with a mission to improve the administration of justice through service and leadership to state courts, the NCSC is governed by a board of directors consisting of state supreme court chief justices, state court adminis- trators, trial court judges, administra- tors, lawyers, and members of the pri- vate sector. Chaired by the president of the Conference of Chief Justices, the NCSC has significantly and positively influenced the way state courts are man- aged. It is a catalyst for change and a repository of new ideas, and its mission is as strong today as it was in 1971. It is my privilege to serve as the NCSC's fifth president. My predeces- sors have maintained a historical, personal, and institutional partnership with the ABA Judicial Division. One continued on page 47 TheJudges' Journal • Winter 2005

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