By Mary Beth Kuenzel (FL)
A new year often brings fresh goals, and this year might find you looking for a professional challenge for yourself or a meaningful growth opportunity for your staff. The National Center for State Courts offers an education pathway unique to court systems through its Institute for Court Management (ICM). ICM provides in-depth education for court professionals across a broad spectrum of topics, covering every aspect of court operations. Courses are designed to strengthen practical skills, deepen understanding of court systems, and prepare participants for increased responsibility and leadership.
ICM courses are offered in a variety of formats to fit busy schedules, including live programs with remote attendance, in-person classes, and online, self-paced learning. Courses may be taken individually or as part of a certification track. For example, Purposes and Responsibilities of Courts is an excellent foundational course for all professionals in an appellate clerk’s office, while Caseflow and Workflow Management is especially valuable for those looking to develop or enhance skills as a case manager.
ICM offers nationally recognized certifications that build progressively. The Certified Court Manager completes six core courses, and the Certified Court Executive is awarded after completion of an additional seven advanced courses.
Detailed course descriptions are available in the ICM Course Catalog:
https://icmelearning.com/icm/ICMCourseDescriptions.pdf?update=2025-04-29
CERTIFIED COURT MANAGER (CCM)
Purposes & Responsibilities of Courts
Examines the role of courts within government, their historical development, organizational structures, and key events that continue to shape court operations today.
Caseflow & Workflow Management
Explores case processing protocols, staffing, procedures, and resources to help participants analyze current practices, apply best practices, and implement performance improvements.
Accountability & Court Performance
Provides tools to collect, understand, and use data to guide decision-making, measure performance, implement improvements, and effectively communicate results.
Budget & Fiscal Management
Covers the fundamentals of court finance, including budget planning, preparation, presentation, execution, and monitoring, along with strategies for managing during challenging fiscal times.
Project Management for Courts
Walks participants through all stages of project management, from planning through close-out, using technology-related projects as the primary context.
Workforce Management
Addresses workforce policies and practices such as employment law, recruitment, retention, performance management, employee relations, mentoring, career development, and succession planning.
CERTIFIED COURT EXECUTIVE (CCE)
Modern Court Governance
Focuses on governance structures, policies, and traditions that guide how courts are administered and how decisions are made, reinforcing principles such as access to justice and due process.
Operations Management
Examines programs and services that support case adjudication, including continuity of operations planning, records management, specialty dockets, and problem-solving courts.
Educational Development
Provides the foundation for developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving education and training for court staff, grounded in adult learning principles and instructional design.
Public Relations
Addresses community engagement, public trust and confidence, media relations, legal information versus legal advice, and effective communication, especially during crises.
Executive Decision-Making
Builds skills in evaluating data, understanding research, diagnosing operational challenges, and developing and communicating effective solutions.
Leadership
Explores what it takes to inspire others, communicate a vision, lead teams, manage the work environment, and collaborate effectively with stakeholders across branches of government.
Visioning & Strategic Planning
Provides tools to develop a shared vision, set priorities, and allocate limited resources through effective strategic planning.
ICM FELLOWS
The ICM Fellows Program, the highest level of certification, involves a 15-month program in which participants design and complete a research-based court improvement project and write a comprehensive report comparable to a master’s-level thesis. Participants attend virtual classes, participate in small work groups, and spend a week at an in-person residency at the NCSC headquarters in Williamsburg, VA.
Jarrett Perlow, Circuit Executive and Clerk of Court for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, is an ICM Fellow whose paper on quality management systems was awarded the ICM Award of Merit for Applied Research. I asked Clerk Perlow about his experience with the Fellows Program and why other court professionals should consider it.
You had already completed your Certified Court Manager and Certified Court Executive certifications. Why pursue the Fellows Program?
The CCM and CCE programs provide excellent foundations for the work we do as court managers and executives. They cover the essential competencies and knowledge areas that every court professional needs. The courses are practical, well-designed, and directly applicable to the challenges we face in court operations. After completing both certifications, I felt well-equipped for my day-to-day responsibilities, but I wanted to go further. I was looking for an opportunity to pursue more substantial research within court administration and to conduct serious academic work on a specific court operations challenge.
What else attracted you to the program?
The networking opportunity was important. I wanted to expand my professional connections beyond the federal judiciary. The Fellows Program is predominantly state court focused, so as one of the few federal participants, I saw value in building those cross-jurisdictional relationships. The perspectives and experiences of state court colleagues have enriched my understanding of court administration considerably.
When did you go through the program?
I was accepted into the 52nd Fellows class, which began in early 2022 and graduated in July 2023.
That timing coincided with your appointment as Circuit Executive and Clerk of Court. Was that planned?
Not at all. When I signed up for the Fellows Program, I had no idea I would be up for appointment. It just happened that I graduated the same month I was appointed. Managing that transition while completing the program was challenging—there was a lot going on simultaneously. I was finishing my research, preparing my final paper, and taking on entirely new responsibilities. But in retrospect, the timing worked out well. Completing this research provided an ideal foundation for my expanded leadership responsibilities.
What was your research topic?
Building on work I had already done at the Federal Circuit I examined how federal appellate courts could use quality management systems to improve operations and strengthen public confidence. Specifically, I looked at whether established quality management frameworks could address some of the challenges we see in court performance in the federal system.
What did you find?
The work identified significant variation in case processing times across the federal circuits. I proposed a new operational model scorecard with baseline performance targets to enhance both transparency and performance. The idea was to give courts and the public better tools to evaluate how well the federal appellate system is functioning.
What happened with the research after you graduated?
The research received the ICM Award of Merit for Applied Research, which was gratifying. More importantly, we have integrated elements of it into our performance management system at the Federal Circuit. The work also led to peer-reviewed publications based on this research in the Journal of Appellate Practice and Process in 2025 and in Judicature in 2024 and to launching my website, Quality in Courts, with open-source resources for evidence-based court improvement. https://qualityincourts.com/
Your class met entirely virtually, correct?
Yes, the program had not yet resumed in-person sessions due to the pandemic. We met virtually throughout the entire program.
Did that limit the experience?
Not as much as you might think. Despite meeting virtually, our class developed strong professional and personal connections that continue today. The program structure still provided plenty of opportunity to build relationships with colleagues across the country and to interact with the experienced staff at the National Center for State Courts.
What have you been doing since completing the program?
I have stayed involved with ICM in several ways. I have continued research and exploring new topics that I presented at multiple National Association for Court Management conferences. I served on a panel review for a subsequent Fellows class, and most recently I started teaching Certified Court Manager and Certified Court Executive courses, which has been rewarding.
What would you say to other clerks who are considering the Fellows Program?
I would encourage them to seriously consider it. The CCM and CCE certifications are essential and provide the core competencies every court leader needs. The Fellows Program builds on that foundation and allows you to contribute original research to the field. You join a community of approximately 1,400 Fellows worldwide, which is a recognized and valued group within the courts. The professional growth and connections certainly justify the commitment required.
Is the time commitment manageable?
It requires dedication, but it is absolutely doable while maintaining your day job. The ICM staff and faculty provide exceptional support throughout the process. They understand that Fellows are working professionals and structure the program accordingly. Even during my busiest period—managing the transition to Circuit Executive while finishing the program—the support was there.
CONCLUSION
Whether you are just beginning your career in the courts or investing in talent development in your office, the Institute for Court Management offers a focused path for professional growth. With flexible learning options, practical coursework, and nationally recognized certifications, ICM equips court professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to meet today’s challenges and to lead courts into the future. The ICM Fellows is a next level opportunity for academic inquiry and development in court operations. The new year is an ideal time to invest in yourself and your staff to strengthen court administration and public service.