Minnesota Court Official Kay Pedretti honored with 2017 NCSC Distinguished Service Award

Williamsburg, Va., May 1, 2018 — Kay Pedretti, director of court services at the Minnesota Judicial Branch, is the recipient of the National Center for State Courts' 2017 Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest awards presented by the organization.

The award is presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the justice system and supported the mission of NCSC. Only one state-level court administrator receives this award each year. 

“Ms. Pedretti’s career has been marked by commitment to the courts and to serving others,” said NCSC President Mary Campbell McQueen, who presented the award to Pedretti on May 2 at the Minnesota Court Business Conference in Minneapolis. “Not only has her work had an important impact in Minnesota but also nationally.  She serves on the National Center for State Courts Court Consulting Services Advisory Committee, which allows her to influence how the National Center provides technical assistance to courts around the country.  …Innovation has been a hallmark of her service.  She has brought enthusiasm and creativity to all endeavors, and has always been willing to learn new things.”

As director of court services, she has worked to enhance the Court Interpreter Program, expedite child support, and foster problem-solving for treatment courts.  Ms. Pedretti has been instrumental in improving self-represented litigant services, boosting jury management and advancing training for court personnel. She also has helped identify, redesign, and implement improvements to the efficiency and effectiveness of the business processes of the courts. 

The National Center for State Courts, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a nonprofit court 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.