Jefferson Parish Court of Clerk named recipient of 2014 Munsterman Award

Gegenheimer recognized for modernizing parish court system

Williamsburg, Virginia (October 8, 2014) – The National Center for State Courts has selected Jon A. Gegenheimer, Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court in Gretna, Louisiana, as the recipient of the 2014 G. Thomas Munsterman Award for Jury Innovation. The Munsterman Award recognizes states, local courts, organizations or individuals that have made significant improvements or innovations in jury procedures, operations and practices.

Gegenheimer helped Jefferson Parish successfully achieve numerous improvements in jury operations including online jury service rescheduling, mobile application, and online exemption. 

"The National Center for State Courts was impressed by Jon Gegenheimer’s accomplishments," remarked Paula Hannaford-Agor, Director of the NCSC Center for Jury Studies. "Gegenheimer instituted several initiatives over a short period of time. He was able to reduce jury administration costs while at the same time provide exceptional customer service to jurors."

During his tenure as Clerk of Court, Gegenheimer enacted a process to monitor docket activity and study historical trends to predict utilization. This allowed him to reduce the number of prospective jurors called for service. The process saved the parish more than $750,000 over the past three years.

Gegenheimer made great strides in technology in Jefferson Parish. Over the course of the past few years, he enacted an electronic juror selection and summoning process; modernized courtroom technology; produced a juror instruction video; and created an online app which allows jurors to reschedule their service, apply for a 70-and-over exemption, and verify service status using a stand-by system.

NCSC President Mary McQueen deems Gegenheimer as an “electronic pioneer.” “Jon Gegenheimer took on a huge challenge in Jefferson Parish. He modernized the parish in several ways by being tenacious, diligent and motivated,” McQueen said. “His hard work deserves recognition, and we’re achieving that by honoring him with the Munsterman Award.”

Gegenheimer will receive the Munsterman Award during NCSC’s Annual Reception Luncheon on Thursday, November 20, 2014.

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 nation’s state courts.