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CHIEF
JUSTICE MARGARET H. MARSHALL ESTABLISHES
VISITING COMMITTEE ON MANAGEMENT IN THE COURTS
Boston—With the
goal of developing a model management system for the administration
of justice in Massachusetts, Supreme Judicial Court Chief
Justice Margaret H. Marshall today announced the members of
a new Visiting Committee on Management in the Courts, which
will assess managerial practices and policies in the court
system and make recommendations to improve the delivery of
service in the administration of justice.
The Visiting
Committee consists of distinguished executives and scholars
with proven experience and expertise in major organizations
that have successfully managed change. The overall mission of
the Visiting Committee is to examine and make recommendations
regarding the standards and current effectiveness of managerial
systems within the courts.
To that end, the Visiting Committee will review budgetary
processes and fiscal controls, managerial qualifications and
performance standards for court personnel, case management and
use of technology, and managerial deployment of personnel and
fiscal resources to improve the administration of justice. In developing its recommendations, the Committee will consult with
judges, clerks, and other court personnel, as well as with leaders
of the legislative and executive branches of government, of
the bar and with community representatives.
Court systems that have already become national exemplars
of “best practice” in judicial administration will be a resource
in the Committee’s work.
Chief Justice
Marshall said, “The people of the Commonwealth have a right
to expect that the administration of justice is compatible
with 21st century management practices and is well
equipped to embrace rapidly changing social, economic and
legal forces that are challenging all institutions.
Bringing in esteemed leaders from the private and
public sectors to examine the foundations of our court administration
and to propose a strategic blueprint will help us to create
a modern management system worthy of the public.”
Chancellor
of Boston College J. Donald Monan, S.J. was named as the Chair;
Vice Chairs are Patricia McGovern, Special Counsel and Senior
Vice President for Corporate Affairs of Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center and William C. Van Faasen, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
The other members are Charles D. Baker, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care; Professor
Wesley W. Marple, Jr., Professor of Finance at Northeastern
University, College of Business Administration; Ralph C. Martin
II, a partner of the law firm Bingham McCutchen LLP and former
Suffolk County District Attorney; Honorable David Mazzone,
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District
of Massachusetts; and Dorothy A. Terrell, President, Platforms
and Services Group, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales,
NMS Communications. (see
attached: brief biographical sketches.)
In a keynote
address to the Massachusetts Bar Association this year, Chief
Justice Marshall announced that she would enlist the assistance
of management leaders from the private and public sectors
to consider “the best, most effective administrative structure
for our courts.” The Chief Justice said, “Like any organization,
we must reform ourselves to meet the demands of the times.
But we must do so in a way that enhances the people’s confidence
in what we do. …There will be no question that is not asked.
You will be told of every answer that is given.”
Chief Justice
Marshall praised Father Monan and the other committee members
for their commitment in helping the court system develop a
strategic plan for improving its management practices.
Chief Justice
Marshall stated, “I am convinced that with the best court
management practices and policies in place, and with the support
of judicial branch personnel and the other branches of government,
our court administration will be a national model of organizational
excellence. We can learn much from management leaders outside
the system, and I am grateful to the members of the Visiting
Committee for giving their time and expertise to help us fulfill
our overall mission of enhancing the administration of justice
in the Commonwealth.”
The
Visiting Committee is expected to present a preliminary report
to the Supreme Judicial Court within six months.
(see
attached: biographical sketches)
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