Q & A with ICM Fellow Bryan Farrell

For Clark County District Court Administrator Bryan Farrell, the journey through NCSC's Institute for Court Management certifications didn't just change how he leads — it changed how he sees what's possible. And that, he believes, is exactly what the future of court leadership demands. 

Join our conversation with Farrell as he reflects on his professional journey, what he gained through ICM, and why he encourages other court professionals to consider the program. 

Getting started

Q: What motivated you to pursue the ICM Fellows program and advance your court leadership education?

A: As I grew in my career, I started to really understand how valuable education and continuous learning are. When I reached the division manager level in 2019, I decided to jump into ICM courses and work through the Certified Court Manager (CCM) and Certified Court Executive (CCE) programs.

I'll be honest — I was hesitant about the Fellows program. It's a significant commitment, and I wasn't sure at first if I could take it on. But once I became a court administrator, I saw it as an opportunity to bring something meaningful back to my court and to grow as a leader.

On a personal level, it was about challenging myself. Professionally, it was about becoming the kind of leader who encourages others to invest in their own development. Today, I have several managers on my team participating in ICM programs, which is incredibly rewarding.

Meeting expectations

Q: Did the ICM Fellows program meet or exceed your expectations?

A: It definitely exceeded my expectations. I've said many times that it was one of the best professional experiences I've had.

The program covers everything from the history of the judicial branch to what modern court leadership looks like today. Just as important, it forces you to slow down, do meaningful research, and think deeply — something we don't always get to do in our day-to-day work when we're constantly responding to immediate issues.

The connections were also huge. Meeting court professionals from across the country and realizing how many challenges we share was eye-opening and reassuring.

Discovering capabilities

Q: How did the ICM Fellows program challenge or strengthen you as a court leader?

A: It made me reflect on the type of leader I wanted to be. Around the same time I started the Fellows program, I also began a master's program in organizational leadership, so leadership was a major focus for me.

Through ICM, I was introduced to strengths-based leadership, including Strengths Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow by Tom Rath and Barry Conchie, which I hadn't studied before. That approach really resonated with me. I've since brought it back to my court — my entire leadership team has read the book and completed the strengths assessment.

The program also reinforced that everyone in the cohort was navigating similar challenges. Knowing that pushed me to stay focused, committed, and proud of the work I was producing.

Applying knowledge

Q: Why did you focus your ICM Fellows applied research project on court space planning, virtual hearings, and hybrid work?

A: The timing couldn't have been better. As I started the Fellows program, our county approached us about moving into a new courthouse. We were redesigning an existing building rather than constructing a new one, which meant we had to think carefully about how to future-proof the space.

The research helped us use data to make informed decisions about courtroom size, docket assignments, and how we use staff space. We reduced the number of cubicles, rethought courtroom assignments, and designed spaces that reflect how we actually operate — including virtual hearings and hybrid work.

We're assigning dockets to courtrooms now rather than judges to specific rooms, which gives us much more flexibility. Being able to align my research with a real-world project was incredibly valuable.

Growing a network

Q: How did the ICM Fellows peer network shape your experience?

A: It made all the difference. Our cohort was very close-knit, and we stayed in constant communication throughout the program. If someone had a question or needed support, there was always someone ready to step in.

We built strong relationships during residency and got to know who had experience with different challenges. That made it easy to reach out for advice or perspective.

Even after graduating, I've stayed in touch with members of my cohort and leaned on those relationships when navigating complex decisions. That network is one of the most valuable aspects of the program.

Parting words

Q: What advice would you give court professionals considering the ICM Fellows program?

A: The short answer is: go for it. I also think it builds trust — both internally and with external partners. For me, completing the Fellows program reinforced my credibility and confidence as a leader.