MOCK TRIAL
D.C. CIRCUIT COURT NEWSLETTER
USCA CLERK'S OFFICE
The Clerk's Office of the Court of Appeals is being called
upon to do business in a new and exciting manner. The new case
management plan that went into effect on August 1, 1986 is moving
into high gear now that the Court has cut significantly intd the
backlog of cases produced by the exceptionally high level of
filings in 1985 and early 1986. On August 1 of this year, the
Court's newly revised General Rules went into effect and, with
each passing day, more and more is being done toimprove the
automated case tracking system in the office. Sometime during
fiscal year 1989, the Clerk's Office will be introduced to
NewAIMS (Automated Information Management System). This latter
program, a full-service computerized docketing system, should go
a long way toward bringing about the full benefits of automation.
Speaking of "change" or "possible change," the staff of the
Clerk's Office is looking forward with great interest to the
report and recommendation of the management survey team now
conducting an evaluation of the Office. Particular emphasis is
being place upon matters affecting organization and productivity.
Members of the survey team are the Circuit Executive and her
assistant. William Thomas, an industrial psychologist, has been
engaged as a consultant for the project. Several judges are also
participating and interviews with District Court representatives,
Court of Appeals staffers and Clerk's Office personnel have been
conducted.
A new deputy clerk joined our staff on August 3rd. Dea
Sullivan has been appointed courtroom deputy for the coming term
while she pursues her legal studies at George Mason University
School of Law. Her predecessor, Cynthia Caporizzo, served very
capably in this position for the past year and will complete her
studies at the Catholic University School of Law. Everyone in the
Clerk's Office wishes Cindy the very best. It has been the
practice of the Court for the past several years to appoint
undergraduate law students to serve as the courtroom deputy for
one year, nonrenewable, terms. The courtroom deputies who have
participated in this program all have done well and it is hoped
that they have benefitted from their experiences with the Court.
This is also a-time when we must say goodbye, at least for
the present, to Dewey Hamilton, who will be returning to Norfolk
State University to begin his junior year. A smiling and able
worker, Dewey has been with us during the past two summers, and
before then, was a full-time employce. He has been in Charge of
our brief disposal program and has assisted generally with
records management. We hope that Dewey can be with us next
summer. Best regards!
USCA GETS FACE-LIFT
Have you noticed the flurry of activity on the 3rd and 5th
floors of the Courthouse? No, I don't mean the Judges R.B.
Ginsburg's and Buckley's moves from the 3rd floor to the 5th; no,
not Judge Edwards' plan to occupy different chambers; not even
Judge Bork's nomination to the Supreme Court. I'm referring to
the Great Spring(?) Clean-up! -- (Sure, vou know it's Summer,
almost Fall, but that's how the government operates!)
Anyway, you may already have noticed the contract painters
and the fresh coat of paint they have applied to all the public
corridors and bathrooms. The next item on the agenda is the
refurbishing of all the woodwork in the courthouse -- Zounds!
Private contractors will be working "on the inside" polishing and
restoring the panelling and other woodwork. The final item you
might notice before the Great Spring Clean-up ends (maybe.by next
Spring?) is applying the three "R's" to the 5th floor lobby's
furniture: Re-upholster, Re-furbish, and Re-decorate.
Hope you'll all like the finished product. Will you recognize
the place?
NEW PROBATION OFFICER
A new probation officer, Charlcs B. Carroll, Jr., was
appointed on June 30, 1987. Mr. Carroll has a BA in Sociology
and Community Development from Antioch College and has done some
graduate work in direct Services in the School of Social Work at
Howard University. Prior to joining our staff Mr. Carroll was a
supervisor of the Third Party Custody Unit at the Burcau of
Rehabilitation. For the past 11 years Mr. Carroll has worked for
various social services and community corrections agencies. He
has considerable experience in working with persons with
substance abuse problems and is presently assigned to one of our
drug units.
On July 10, 1987, U.S. Probation Officer Michael A. Smith .
ensferred to Kansas City, Kansas. Mr Smith joined our striff on
April 30, 1984./P>
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