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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