NCSC President Mary C. McQueen receives national award

NCSC President Mary C. McQueen receives national award

Williamsburg, Va. (August 10, 2016) — NCSC President Mary C. McQueen recently was presented the 2016 Robert B. Yegge Award for Outstanding Contribution in the Field of Judicial Administration, awarded by the American Bar Association (ABA) Judicial Division. The award is given annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to judicial administration. McQueen was presented the award August 7 during the ABA’s annual meeting in San Francisco.

McQueen has devoted her professional life to improving the justice system. Since 2004, she has led the National Center for State Courts, whose research, technology assistance, education, and consulting services have greatly contributed to improving and strengthening courts nationally and internationally. Prior to joining NCSC, McQueen worked for the Washington State Courts for more than 25 years, 17 of those as state court administrator.

The award is named for Robert Yegge, dean emeritus of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, who passed away 2006. Dean Yegge was considered a pioneer in the field of judicial administration, and his contributions created opportunities for many, including McQueen. In the late 1960s, Chief Justice of the United States Warren Burger contacted Dean Yegge to discuss the growing need for professional training for court administration. Chief Justice Burger made Dean Yegge a deal: if the University of Denver College of Law would establish a Masters’ Degree in Judicial Administration, the Chief Justice would support the creation of a separate program for court managers. This was the beginning of the Institute for Court Management (ICM), initially housed in Denver and now at the National Center for State Courts.

Yegge served as law school dean from 1966 – 77 and again from 1997-98. In 1987, he served as the University’s director of the Master of Science in Legal Administration program. Both Yegge and McQueen served on the ABA/Judicial Administration Division Lawyer’s Conference.