National Center for State Courts

Hands-on experience builds practice-ready lawyers. State supreme courts can encourage experiential learning that gives law students and new lawyers real client responsibility. Opportunities like clinics, internships, externships, and other practice settings—combined with thoughtful licensing requirements—help ensure lawyers graduate with the skills needed to serve the public effectively.    By supporting these innovations, courts help new lawyers gain confidence, competence, and readiness to meet the legal needs of their communities.    #CourtLeadership #ExperientialLearning #PracticeReady #AccessToJustice #LegalEducation 

Build the skills you need to advance in your court career with specialized education and certification programs from the Institute for Court Management (ICM).    Whether you’re looking to strengthen leadership, improve case management expertise, or enhance operational knowledge, ICM offers practical, career-focused programs designed specifically for court professionals.    Explore our certification programs, including the Certified Court Manager (CCM), Certified Court Executive (CCE), and ICM Fellows programs here: https://lnkd.in/eqiJ7VJi.    #CourtCareers #CourtManagement #ProfessionalDevelopment  #Leadership #StateCourts 

AI is transforming how courts operate—but thoughtful planning is essential. Our AI Readiness Guide helps courts assess their current readiness and take practical steps to implement AI responsibly.    The guide supports courts at every stage:  🏗Building Foundations – Just starting to explore AI  🚀Implementing Your First AI Project – Planning and rolling out your first initiative  🔄Post-Project Feedback – Learning from completed AI projects    Designed for court leaders, administrators, and AI decision-making committees, the guide includes a self-assessment tool, guidance on AI governance, and actionable steps to align AI with your court’s goals.    Learn more and access the guide to prepare your court for an AI-integrated future: https://lnkd.in/ex9UFnYF.     #AI #AIinCourts #CourtInnovation 

How much does it cost to file a civil case in your state? Federal courts charge a standard $405, but state court fees vary—from a few hundred to over $1,000—depending on case type, claim amount, and local fees. In this latest Trending Topics article, NCSC’s Bill Raftery breaks down why these differences exist, how some states are improving transparency with online fee calculators, and where you can find updated filing fee charts for all 50 states. 💬 What trends are you seeing in your courts around filing fees or case-type consolidation? #Courts #AccessToJustice #CourtAdministration #StateCourts

Many new lawyers enter the profession without the full range of skills and experience needed to practice effectively. State supreme courts can lead change by implementing state-level strategies that improve practice readiness—before and after admission to the bar.    Opportunities like internships, externships, mentorship, law clerkships, and targeted continuing legal education help new lawyers gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to serve the public effectively.    When courts lead in preparing new lawyers, communities benefit from a more competent, confident, and accessible legal system.    #CourtLeadership #PracticeReadiness #AccessToJustice #LegalProfession #CourtInnovation 

Courts can build trust and improve services by involving court users and community members in research that drives real change. Our new participatory action research (PAR) guidance gives courts a practical framework to collaborate with those most impacted—creating more person-centered, just, and effective systems. PAR projects are: ✅ Inclusive — Community members serve as equal partners in the research team. 🤝 Collaborative — Courts, researchers, and community partners work together from start to finish. 🔁 Iterative — Ongoing cycles of action, reflection, and redesign ensure continuous improvement. Learn more about how your court can implement PAR and access the new brief and planning guide: https://lnkd.in/edmPdzCQ.

State supreme courts can encourage law schools to focus on innovation, experimentation, and cost-effective legal education that prepares lawyers to meet the real legal needs of the communities they serve.    By supporting law school accreditation practices that prioritize public impact, courts can help ensure that new lawyers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to deliver meaningful access to justice.    #CourtLeadership #LegalEducation #AccessToJustice #LawSchoolInnovation #CourtInnovation 

At NCSC, we help courts work smarter, more efficiently, and with greater transparency.    Our team of problem-solvers, collaborators, and advocates for justice works alongside court leaders, policymakers, and communities to develop practical solutions that strengthen the rule of law and public trust.    With decades of experience and forward-thinking ideas, we help courts deliver fair, accessible, and reliable justice for all. See how we can support your court: ncsc.org. 

Courts are increasingly relying on technology, making cybersecurity more important than ever. Our specialized IT risk assessments help courts identify vulnerabilities before they become critical issues.    We evaluate your court’s:  -Technology infrastructure, endpoints, staffing, and software  -Policies, monitoring, training, data security, and maintenance practices    After the assessment, your court receives a detailed report aligned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework’s five core functions, including actionable recommendations to address risks and strengthen your cybersecurity posture.    Don’t wait for a breach to identify weaknesses.     #CyberSecurity #CourtTechnology #CourtSafety #InformationSecurity 

More time in court doesn’t always mean more trust. For decades, surveys—including our State of the State Courts public opinion poll—show that direct experience with courts can sometimes lower confidence.    While seeing how courts work can be enlightening, frustrations often stem from complex procedures, not the people serving in the system. Courts can focus on simplifying processes and improving clarity to strengthen public trust.