National organization honors Vermont's
Chief Administrative Judge

Amy M. Davenport recognized

Judge Amy M. Davenport, chief administrative judge for Vermont's trial courts, is the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Service Award for a state trial judge, one of the highest recognitions given by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC).  Mary C. McQueen, NCSC President, will formally present the award to Judge Davenport on Friday, May 6, in Montpelier, Vermont.  Judge Davenport, who is being honored for her role in the restructuring of the Judicial Branch of state government, is the first judge in Vermont to receive this national award.

"Judge Davenport has made a lasting mark on the court community for her innovative style and approach to helping courts remain strong and accessible to the public," McQueen said.  "Judge Davenport played a key role in court improvement and restructuring in the face of budget shortfalls and economic downturn during 2010.  Vermont is one of the first states in the nation to reengineer its justice system in a way that keeps courts effective, efficient, and accessible."

The restructuring of the courts was the fulfillment of a constitutional amendment adopted by Vermonters more than 30 years ago.  According to Chief Justice Paul Reiber, "Judge Davenport brought her well-known reputation for quality work and absolute candor to the collaboration among the three branches of government. This was essential to achieving the historic restructuring of the courts."

Court Administrator Bob Greemore noted that judicial restructuring would not have been a success without leadership from all sectors of the Judiciary:  the Supreme Court, judges, administrators, managers, and staff.  According to Greemore: "Judge Davenport was tireless in her advocacy for a structure that would enable judicial officers to provide the highest quality service to citizens in Vermont courts."  

Judge Davenport was appointed to the superior court bench in 1990. In September of 2005, the Vermont Supreme Court appointed her to the position of chief administrative judge.  Prior to her appointment to the bench, she served in the Vermont House of Representatives for six years.  During her tenure in the Legislature, she chaired the House Judiciary Committee and played a key role in the establishment of the Family Court and the Environmental Court.   As chief administrative judge, she has actively worked to improve the juvenile justice system including comprehensive reform of Vermont juvenile laws related to child protection and delinquency.

Judge Davenport is a trustee of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and a graduate of the Institute for Faculty Excellence in Judicial Education.  Judge Davenport received her bachelor's degree from Stanford University in 1969 and was admitted to the Vermont bar in 1982 following a four-year clerkship.

NCSC bestows six Distinguished Service Awards annually on those who have made significant contributions to the judicial or court administration fields and to the work of the National Center.  The awards recognize one person from each of the following categories:  current or former state appellate judge; current or former state trial judge; state-level court administrator or employee; trial-level court administrator or employee; attorney or other individual not employed by the courts; and current or former international judge or court executive. 

The National Center for State Courts, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a nonprofit court reform organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership and service to the state courts.  Founded in 1971 by the Conference of Chief Justices and Chief Justice of the United States Warren E. Burger, NCSC provides education, training, technology, management and research services to the nations' state courts.