Established in 1996 in recognition of the National Center for State Courts’ 25th anniversary, the Warren E. Burger Society honors individuals who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to improving the administration of justice through extraordinary contributions of their time, talent and support to the National Center for State Courts.
The 2024 inductees include: |
 From left to right: Nathan Hecht, Lorie Gildea, Jeff Shorba, Paul DeLosh and Joan Robinson. |
Paul F. DeLosh. DeLosh is the director of judicial services in the Office of the Executive Secretary at the Supreme Court of Virginia. He is a fellow of NCSC’s Institute for Court Management and past president of the National Association for Court Management, where he holds leadership roles as a liaison to several national initiatives.
Retired Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea. Gildea served as chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court for 13 years and now practices with Greenberg Traurig LLP in Minneapolis. Prior to joining the supreme court, she served as a judge in the Fourth Judicial District in Hennepin County, a prosecutor in the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office and as associate general counsel for the University of Minnesota.
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht. Chief Justice Hecht was first elected to the Supreme Court of Texas in 1988 and subsequently elected as its chief justice in 2014. He is a past chair of NCSC’s Board of Directors and past president of the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ). Chief Justice Hecht has provided leadership to national projects including NCSC’s Eviction Diversion and Just Horizons initiatives and the National Task Force on Fines, Fees, and Bail. He was also appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States to the federal Advisory Committee on Civil Rules.
Joan M. Robinson. Robinson, of Erlanger, Ky., is the widow of American Bar Association (ABA) President Bill Robinson. Prior to his death, Bill Robinson was active with the ABA for more than 30 years. He is remembered for his tireless advocacy on behalf of an independent judiciary, judicial education, and the rule of law. Joan Robinson was a very active partner with her husband and continues to honor his legacy.
Jeff Shorba. Shorba has served as the state court administrator for the Minnesota Judicial Branch since 2012. During his time with the court, Shorba has overseen the statewide implementation of a new case management system and the state’s nationally recognized Conservator Auditing Program. He is a past president of the Conference of State Court Administrators and past vice chair of NCSC’s Board of Directors
Find a complete list of Warren E. Burger Society members here.