Release Date:  July 31, 2003	Release Number:  45

California Chief Justice Heads National Conference of Chief Justices

As CCJ president, Chief Justice will become a national leader and spokesperson on important issues facing the state courts.  At the same time, he will become Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Center for State Courts, a nonprofit organization that promotes leadership, education, and service to state courts.

“We are honored that Chief Justice George has moved into a leadership role with the National Center and in the nation’s judicial community,” said Roger Warren, president of the NCSC.  “Chief Justice George has made a significant and positive impact on the California court system through his innovative, problem-solving approach to justice.  His knowledge and experience are invaluable to the National Center.”

“I am very honored to take office as president of this national conference of court leaders at a time in history when so many critical issues confront the judicial branch of government,” said Chief Justice George.  “In recent years, courts nationwide increasingly have sought ways to improve access to justice for all.  With severe economic issues facing almost every state, many courts are striving to provide basic services—and are determined to preserve many of the innovations that have proved to be of great service to the community.”

Chief Justice George continued: “I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues from across the nation to improve the administration of justice for all and to ensure that courts are able to meet their fundamental obligations to provide fair and accessible justice and to uphold the rule of law. I equally am proud to serve as Chair of the Board of the National Center for State Courts, an organization that has provided invaluable service to state courts for many years.”

Founded in 1949, CCJ is the primary voice for state courts before the federal legislative and executive branches and works to promote current legal reforms and improvements in state court administration. (http://ccj.ncsc.dni.us/)  NCSC was founded in 1971 (http://www.ncsconline.org/).

Chief Justice George has been active in both organizations since he took office as California’s top judicial officer in May 1996.  Before joining the state Supreme Court in 1991, he served on every level of California state court: Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District (1987–1991), Los Angeles County Superior Court (1977–1987), and Los Angeles Municipal Court (1972–1977).

The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Chief Justice was most recently recognized with the 2002 William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence.  When it announced the award last year, NCSC noted that during his brief tenure, Chief Justice George has overseen some of the most significant initiatives and reforms in the history of California courts.

These reforms include the unification of trial courts, the transition of trial courts from local to state funding, legislation that will provide state funding and oversight of trial court facilities, and ongoing advances in court access and improved court technology.