NCSC Partners with Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government to offer an "Executive Session for State Court Leaders in the 21st Century"

Williamsburg, VA (September 24, 2008) – The challenges facing state court leaders today are separate and distinctly different from the issues affecting the federal courts. To help state courts define those challenges and identify solutions to ensure fair, impartial and efficient courts, the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government are launching an “Executive Session for State Court Leaders in the 21st Century.” The first session of this three-year initiative takes place Sept. 25 – 27 in Cambridge, Mass., at Harvard University.

Participants in this session include chief justices of state supreme courts, state and trial court administrators, judges, law professors, and legislators. 

“Strong, effective leadership is essential to fair and impartial courts,” said NCSC President Mary C. McQueen. “The National Center is proud and excited to partner with Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government on a project that will strengthen the state courts and one that works across institutional boundaries.”

The Executive Session is a collaborative process between practitioners and researchers which was developed by Harvard’s Kennedy School about 20 years ago. Each session serves as a forum to bring together public leaders and experts to examine social problems that cut across public entities. 

The Executive Session for State Court Leaders is a joint project of the NCSC, Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the State Justice Institute.