NCSC announces new leadership for 2014-2015

Williamsburg, Va. (July 31, 2014) – Arkansas Chief Justice Jim Hannah has been named chair of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and president of the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ). Iowa State Court Administrator David K. Boyd has been named vice-chair of the NCSC’s Board of Directors and president of the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA). All positions are one-year-terms.

“Chief Justice Hannah and David Boyd are national leaders in the court community,” said NCSC President Mary C. McQueen. “Their collective experience with and commitment to the justice system will allow NCSC to more effectively develop solutions to the challenges state court systems across the country are facing.”

Chief Justice Hannah was elected to his position and took office in January 2005. He serves on the U.S. Supreme Court Judicial Conference Committee on Federal-State Jurisdiction, appointed by U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts and was appointed by President Barrack Obama as chair of the State Justice Institute. Chief Justice Hannah currently serves as co-chair of the CCJ/COSCA courts, children and families committee and a member of the government affairs committee.

Boyd took office in May 2003. He serves as Executive Secretary to the Iowa Commission on Judicial Qualifications and the State Judicial Nominating Commission and is the Administrator of the Iowa Judicial Retirement System.

Founded in 1949 and comprised of the top judicial officers of each state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, CCJ promotes the interests and effectiveness of state judicial systems by developing policies and educational programs designed to improve court operations. CCJ also acts as the primary representative of the state courts before Congress and federal executive agencies.

COSCA is comprised of the chief executives of the court systems in each state, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. The conference is committed to strengthening the judicial branch by improving the quality of state courts and increasing the public’s trust and confidence in the justice system.

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.