National Conference of Specialized Court Judges

Neuroscience funding: A source directory Our list features expected and lesser-known governmental and nongovernmental sources of funding for basic neuroscience research.

CORA is a free online portal where courts can showcase clerkship, internship, and externship opportunities for law students and recent graduates.

Post your opportunities. Connect with future leaders. Visit ncsc.org/cora.

Hybrid hearings are now a core part of court operations.

Through our Hybrid Hearings Improvement Initiative, we worked alongside courts to gather data, test solutions, and share what works. Access our report to explore a range of hybrid hearing challenges and discover potential solutions that can work for any court.

Data Explore interactive dashboards of state court caseload data to monitor trends, measure program success, and inform policymaking.

🐾 Today, on National Dog Day, we’re recognizing the incredible court dogs who support our justice system.

These four-legged partners bring comfort and courage to children, survivors, and witnesses who need to share their stories in court. Their presence helps reduce stress and creates a calmer, more supportive environment during difficult moments.

To every court dog and their handler helping to make courts a place of safety and trust—thank you for the important work you do. Here’s to the paws that make a difference!

Benefits of Juror Questionnaires and Attorney-Conducted Voir Dire Juror questionnaires and attorney-led voir dire can improve bias detection, juror candor, strategic selection, and overall efficiency in trials.

Courts can lead the way in shaping the future of legal education and licensure. Explore eight recommendations from the new Committee on Legal Education and Admissions Reform (CLEAR) report.

Spearheaded by the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), the report draws on insights from 12 listening sessions, 90 interviews, and surveys of more than 9,000 judges, lawyers, and law students.

From the rise in self-representation to the spread of legal deserts, the CLEAR report offers a roadmap for state supreme courts to help bridge the justice gap and strengthen practice readiness.

CHIEF JUDGE WILSON ANSWERS THE CALL FOR JURY SERVICE In a recent orientation video created for newly sworn jurors, Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson spoke eloquently about the empowering importance of serving and encouraged people to embrace not only the responsibility but the opportunity to make a real difference. Earlier this month, the Chief Judge found himself on the receiving end of a jury summons. Volunteer at: https://loom.ly/hmPNmZM

Less than 60 days until the NAICJA Conference! Register today at https://site.pheedloop.com/event/ntjcpc/home/ Save $ with Early Bird registration until 8/31!

One week away! 🎡🎈

We can't wait to return to the New York State Fair. Make sure you stop by and see us at the Center of Progress building.

We'll have giveaways, photo ops, career information and more. See you at the fair!

RURAL PATHWAYS

The lack of accessible legal services in rural areas is a national crisis, and New York State — where four million people live in rural areas – is certainly no exception.

Presiding Justice Elizabeth A. Garry of the Appellate Division, Third Department, is attempting to address the crisis through a novel “Rural Pathways” initiative that places law students in remote areas where they can experience the camaraderie of the local legal community and appreciate the innumerable benefits of life and practice outside the bigger cities.

In this Amici podcast, Justice Garry, who grew up on a dairy farm and spent most of her legal and judicial career in one of the more remote regions of the state, speaks of the need for legal services in rural areas and the recently completed and highly successful pilot program she embraced: Rural Pathways.

Audio: https://loom.ly/OyhwgEs

Transcript: https://loom.ly/6Y_vjfA

Check out this article: https://www.allotsego.com/legal-internship-wraps-up-pilot-program/

The NCSCJ Executive Committee takes care of business at the 2025 Annual Meeting in Toronto. A peaceful transition of power.

2025-2026 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Chair: Hon. Danielle Mosley, Annapolis, MD
Chair-Elect: Karen Zucker, Bala Cynwyd, PA
Vice-Chair: Hon. Amy Lin Meyerson, Weston, CT
Secretary: Hon. Yvette Ayala Henderson, Highland, CA
Immediate Past Chair: Hon. Juliet Britton, Beaverton, OH

Member-at-large Representatives:
Hon. Phinia Aten, Conyers, GA
Hon. Lisa Atkinson, Honolulu, HI
Hon. Margarita Bernal, Phoenix, AZ
Hon. Jason Bomia, Marshall, MI
Hon. Sidney A. Butcher, Annapolis, MD
Hon. Richard Ginkowski, Kenosha, WI
Hon. Shelbonnie Hall, Mobile, AL
Hon. Robbie Hassell, Greensboro, NC
Hon. Cassandra Kirk, Decatur, GA
Hon. Tara Osborn, Pinehurst, NC
Hon. Miriam Perry, Ann Arbor, MI
Hon. Andra Sparks, Birmingham, AL

Delegate to the House of Delegates: Hon. David L. Welch, Indianapolis, IN
ABA Board of Governors Liaison: Mr. Theodore H. Davis Jr., Atlanta, GA