A national court improvement organization is gaining the leadership of Indiana’s own Lilia Judson. The members of the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) elected Judson to serve as the 2008-2009 Vice-President. Judson is the Executive Director of the Indiana Supreme Court Division of State Court Administration. Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard is confident Judson’s leadership will benefit courts across the country. He explained, “We are fortunate to have Lilly’s primary attention devoted to Indiana courts. She plays a crucial role in our success and that will continue. We are happy Lilly will also be in a position to lend her skills to other courts through COSCA.”
Much like her full-time position, serving COSCA allows Judson to uphold America’s fundamental principles of justice and the rule of law. When Judson joined the Indiana Supreme Court Division of State Court Administration the newly created office had a tiny staff. Her responsibilities grew along with the size and functions of the office. In 1998 the Court appointed her Executive Director.
During those first years on the job Judson looked to COSCA for support. The organization is dedicated to helping court administrators develop a more effective and efficient system of justice. Judson explained, “The experienced members quickly became my gurus and the conference programs became my learning tools. It is gratifying to now be in a leadership position with an organization that provides an avenue for court administrators across the country to work together on issues facing the judicial system.”
Judson now manages budgets totaling $100 million. During the past 10 years she has helped the Indiana Supreme Court implement significant court improvement projects. She developed $30,000 – $50,000 Court Reform Grants which provide money to local courts for reform projects that have guidance from State Court Administration. Judson was instrumental in the Jury Pool Project which brought about the development of a more inclusive and diverse jury pool list by using records from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle and Department of Revenue. She is promoting the use of a video that helps self-represented litigants navigate the court system. Judson is also responsible for the launch of a 21st Century Case Management System for Indiana trial courts under the leadership of Judicial Technology and Automation Committee (JTAC).
As COSCA Vice-President, Judson will work with court executives and chief justices across the country to strengthen the judicial branch of state government and provide educational opportunities to trial courts. Being elected to the COSCA Vice-Presidential position puts Judson in line to take over as President of the organization in 2010-2011. It also allows Judson to become a board member for the National Center for State Courts, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving justice. Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard noted that both national organizations will benefit from Judson’s experience and enthusiasm, and that she will shape court improvement policy and give administrators the tools needed to implement plans that ensure courts fairly and efficiently decide cases.