SJI NEWSLETTER SJI NEWSLETTER

In this Issue 

Page 1 

Volume 25, No. 8 

High Performance Court Framework Key for 

Triaging Divorce Cases 

SJI Grantees

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be sure to use the hashtag 

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Divorce Case Triage 1 - 2 

NACM Celebrates 30 

Years 

2 

SJI’s Chief Judge 

Lippman Honored 

3 

 

With support from SJI, the National Center for State 

Courts (NCSC) has published a report providing 

information on how to apply the High Performance 

Court Framework (HPCF) to triage domestic relations cases and improve case processing for separating families. The development of these techniques 

and findings were presented after technical assistance was provided by the NCSC to the Miami-Dade 

Family Court Division, in partnership with the Circuit and County Courts of Florida. 

The 16-page report, titled, The High Performance 

Court and Divorce Case Triage, is available for 

review and download from the NCSC Library’s 

eCollection. Consultants from the NCSC began the 

project by outlining the current process used in divorce cases in the Court, and identifying a step-bystep instrument to screen these cases. Triaging is 

cited for its potential to expedite uncontested divorce 

cases while marshalling the necessary resources for 

participants who most need them in an efficient and 

more cost effective manner. The report concludes by 

presenting the screening model in the context of the 

HPCF as a quality cycle, whereby any court can 

discuss and adapt the model to their circumstances. 

For this project, Colorado, Ohio, and Utah, were 

selected to receive SJI support to develop a screening model that would be applicable to the divorce 

caseload needs of the participants and the administrative law guiding each state. In addition to the 

NCSC, an advisory committee of domestic relations 

experts was formed for each state. 

May 2015 

The model was adapted for, and used in, MiamiDade County, who share their experience and data in 

the report. 

Highlights of the report include: 

Issues a court should consider in determining if 

divorce case triage is appropriate; 

How to develop a case screening model, inclusive of domestic relations partners; and, 

Implementing and assessing the model relative 

to the quality cycle described in the HPCF. 

Continues on page 2 
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E-SJI News Volume 25, No. 8 May 2015 

The HPCF was formally introduced in 2013 as 

a process involving a series of flexible steps 

that could be customized by state courts to 

integrate performance improvement into ongoing operations. 

Since 2012, SJI has supported 11 state courts 

to explore, adopt, or fully implement the 

HPCF. State courts using the HPCF recognize 

it as vital system for improving the administration of justice. 

NACM to Include State Courts in 30th Anniversary 

Video - Submissions Needed 

To contribute a short congratulatory video 

celebrating NACM’s 30th anniversary, please 

follow the suggested guidelines regarding 

video format and submission provided below: 

MP4 format is preferred. 

Take the video in a well-lit location. 

Get close to the camera – within five feet. 

Keep the video under a minute long. 

NACM will trim, edit as needed. 

Send file via email to lgomez@ncsc.org 

SJI congratulates NACM on its 30th anniversary. 

Please submit your video clip no later than the 

close of business Friday, May 29th. Inclusion of video clips is at the sole discretion of NACM.

Continued from page 1 

Formed in July 1985 through the merger of the 

National Association for Court Administration 

(NACA) and the National Association of 

Trial Court Administrators (NATCA), the 

National Association for Court Management 

(NACM) will celebrate its 30th anniversary 

this year. The anniversary will kick-off at the 

annual conference in Louisville, Kentucky, 

from July 12 –16, 2015. Several educational 

components of this event are already supported by SJI. 

As part of NACM’s anniversary celebration, 

a video will be compiled from submissions of 

clips provided by state courts, court leadership, key national partners, and national court 

support organizations. 
Page 3 

SJI Board of Directors

Chairman 

James R. Hannah 

Chief Justice 

Supreme Court of Arkansas 

Little Rock, AR 

Vice Chairman 

Daniel J. Becker 

State Court Administrator 

Utah AOC 

Salt Lake City, UT 

Secretary 

Gayle A. Nachtigal 

Senior Circuit Court Judge 

Washington County Circuit Court 

Hillsboro, OR 

Treasurer 

Hernan D. Vera 

Principle 

Bird Marella P.C. 

Los Angeles, CA 

Chase T. Rogers 

Chief Justice 

Supreme Court of Connecticut 

Hartford, CT 

Jonathan Lippman 

Chief Judge of the State of New York 

New York Court of Appeals 

New York, NY 

David V. Brewer 

Justice 

Oregon Supreme Court 

Salem, OR 

Wilfredo Martinez 

County Judge 

9th Judicial Circuit of Florida 

Orlando, FL 

Marsha J. Rabiteau 

Executive Director 

Legal Policy Strategies Group 

Bloomfield, CT 

John B. Nalbandian 

Partner 

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP 

Cincinnati, OH 

Isabel Framer 

President 

Language Access Consultants, LLC 

Copley, OH

Jonathan D. Mattiello 

Executive Director 

The State Justice Institute is a federallyfunded, non-profit corporation established by 

federal law in 1984 to improve the quality of 

justice in the state courts. 

E-SJI News Volume 25, No. 8 May 2015 

The National Consortium on Racial & Ethnic 

Fairness in the Courts (NCREFC) will hold its 

annual conference June 10-13, 2015, in Buffalo, New York. This year, SJI Board member 

and Chief Judge of the State of New York, 

Jonathan Lippman, will receive one of their 

highest honors. 

Recognized for his long career and a lasting 

commitment to leading efforts that work to 

identify and eliminate racial and ethnic bias in 

the courts of New York, Chief Judge Lippman 

will accept the award for his ongoing work 

with the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission. The Franklin H. Williams Judicial 

Commission was established in June 1991 to 

educate and advise decision makers in the 

New York Court System on issues impacting 

both litigants and employees of color; and to 

implement recommendations developed to address these issues. 

SJI Board Member Receives National Honor for 

Leadership in Racial and Ethnic Fairness 

Presentation of the award will take place Friday, June 12th, by retired Associate Judge 

Samuel Green, of the New York Appellate 

Division, Fourth Department. Throughout 

their time on the bench and before, both became well-acquainted with each other and 

share a mutual respect. Also honored at the 

event will be Gail Prudenti, Chief Administrative Judge of the State of New York. 

The NCREFC is committed to encouraging 

examination, sharing the collective knowledge, and providing technical assistance to the 

courts, to ensure racial and ethnic fairness. Hon. Rose Sconiers, Chair of the Franklin H. 

Williams Commission and Hon. Jonathan 

Lippman, celebrate 20 years of the Commission’s 

service to the New York Court System.