Art and Practice of Court Administration

Alexander B. Aikman, Jack Rabin, Philip Carrizosa, Joyce Barnes, Bryan Borys

“…discuss the sensitive issue of court reporters, technological obsolescence, and the highly unusual economic arrangement they enjoy in so many court systems. He also discusses how courtroom staff can develop direct relationships with judges, giving them grater influence and status that their place on the organizational chart might otherwise indicates. … The Art & Practice is so broad, comprehensive, and well-informed … discusses the need for more flexible, creative courthouse design in the future … strikes a perfect balance between a serious, well researched, rigorous discussion of the field of court administration while at the same time writing in an accessible tone that makes the book a pleasure to read. …” — In National Association for Court Management, May 2007 “… discuss the sensitive issue of court reporters, technological obsolescence, and the highly unusual economic arrangement they enjoy in so many court systems. He also discusses how courtroom staff can develop direct relationships with judges, giving them grater influence and status that their place on the organizational chart might otherwise indicates. … The Art & Practice is so broad, comprehensive, and well-informed … discusses the need for more flexible, creative courthouse design in the future … strikes a perfect balance between a serious, well researched, rigorous discussion of the field of court administration while at the same time writing in an accessible tone that makes the book a pleasure to read. …” —In Court Communique, Vol. 8, Issue 2, 2007 “ … Aikman strikes a perfect balance between a serious, well-researched, rigorous discussion of the field of court administration while at the same time writing in an accessible tone that makes the book a pleasure to read.” —Karl Thoennes, Court Administrator for the 2nd Judicial Circuit, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA, www.courtethics.org"I think this book will fill a gap in the literature now available for those trying to develop a more complete sense of court administration and the court administrator role.” — Dr. John Hudzik, Vice President, Global Engagement and Strategic Projects, Michigan State University "…it is simply wonderful. … It is the detailed enumeration of the duties, responsibilities and challenges of trial court administrators and their relations with their varied audiences and environments that make [this] book so outstanding.” — Ed McConnell, President (retired), National Center for State Courts and retired State Court Administrator, New Jersey “I like both the content and the flow. … [This book] is a work that will serve to define the field for generations to come. … [Aikman has] shown the broadest possible insight into the levels of skill and effort needed to establish a new level of court administration.” — Ernie Friesen, Consultant and trainer in court administration, retired Professor of Law, Cal-Western School of Law, San Diego, California, and former Executive Director, Institute of Court Management

• Introduction. An Historical Context. Context Associated with Court Organization, Vocabulary, and Filings. The Environmental Context: Social and Political Factors. The Environmental Context: Clerks of Court, Prosecutors, and Sheriffs. The Environmental Context: Working With Trial Court Judges. On Being a Court Administrator. Introduction to the Hierarchy of Court Administration. Hierarchy of Court Administration: Mission-Critical Needs. Hierarchy of Court Administration: Security and Continuity of Operations. Hierarchy of Court Administration: External Relationships. Hierarchy of Court Administration: Proactive Management. Hierarchy of Court Administration: Leadership Organization. Concluding Thoughts.