Focus Groups

I continue to attend Commission on Judicial Operation focus groups as well as facilitate those organized by the VBA. Last week I attended groups of court staff in three locations as well as two groups of court administrator and Supreme Court staff. Their perspectives were a bit different than some other groups I’ve heard. Also on June 11th, I met with the Chittenden County Bar, while on the 12th I facilitated the discussion with the Franklin, Grand Isle, and Lamoille County Bars. The Chief Justice has been to all meetings so far, while Justices Johnson, Skoglund and Burgess have each other some.
Later today I’m driving to Middlebury for the Addison Bar meeting; tomorrow it’s Bennington’s turn. On Wednesday, I meet with the Washington-Orange bars and on Friday I’ll be in Rutland. To date there are two more meetings scheduled: Caledonia, Orleans, and Essex Counties on July 1st and Windham County on July 10th. I’m still working on Windsor; I’ll up date you as soon as I have a date.
Last Friday, John Douglas of the National Center for State Courts facilitated a discussion with the VBA Board of Managers with the Chief and Justices Johnson and Burgess present. There was a lively discussion about alternatives to the judicial system as we know it.
It’s looking as though we’ll have a final report of the Commission in mid October for delivery to the legislature upon its return in January. We’re thinking about a “town hall” style meeting at the VBA Annual Meeting at Lake Morey on September 25th. Stay tuned for more details.