By Seth Rhodebeck (AL)

         At this year’s NCACC Annual Conference we are featuring a members-only panel session entitled “Ask the Experts,” which is scheduled for Monday, August 2, 2026, at 10:15 a.m. We have invited three highly respected clerks – Tim Gudas (NH), Greg Hilton (MD), and Jenny Kitchings (SC) – for an open, conversational deep dive into the challenges and questions we all encounter in our work.   This is your chance to tap into decades of collective experience, gain practical insights and hear candid advice from some of the best in our field.  

         The specific role of each appellate clerk varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  However, all appellate clerks serve in some capacity as administrators, supervisors, legal advisors, budget directors, event planners, decision makers, fire fighters, and/or cat herders.  The job of an appellate clerk is difficult and, often times, lonely.  Clerks are routinely faced with challenging problems and issues that do not have clear answers, but that do have consequences for the litigants that practice before the courts we serve.

         This panel will offer an opportunity to hear from others who have made a career as an appellate clerk and are willing to share their wisdom.  One great value of the NCACC Annual Conference is to build relationships with other appellate clerks and draw on those resources for the future.  This session will be a great reminder that, as an NCACC member, you are not alone.