by Scott Michell, President, (AL)

Wow, how time flies! It is hard to believe that three months have already passed since we gathered in Albuquerque for our 52nd Annual Meeting and Educational Conference.  A heartfelt thank you goes to Liz Garcia and Colette Bruggman for planning an outstanding event.  From the lively mariachi band at the opening reception to the fascinating evening at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, and the beautiful celebration at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center complete with a traditional Pueblo dance, Liz showcased the Land of Enchantment she loves so well.

The educational programming this year was truly exceptional.  We opened with a dynamic keynote address from our Opperman Speaker, Retired Judge Bernice Donald of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.  Throughout the week, we gained insight into the workings of the United States Supreme Court, learned best practices for courthouse security, and explored leadership across generations in the workplace.  Some of the most engaging sessions featured panels of our own NCACC members, who shared expertise on topics such as federal, state, and tribal court relations, access to justice, cybersecurity, and employment investigations.  This issue of The Docket includes summaries of those sessions.  If you were unable to join us in Albuquerque, I encourage you to take a few moments to read about what you missed.

This year’s conference was our best attended meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic.  If you were unable to join us in Albuquerque, I hope you’ll make plans to attend next year’s conference August 2-6, 2026, in Austin, Texas.  Our host, Deana Williamson, and our Program Committee, led by Chair Tristen Worthen, are already planning another memorable conference.

Before attending my first NCACC conference, I received some great advice from former NCACC President and retired Clerk of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, John Wilkerson.  He told me that because so few of us serve as appellate clerks and assistant clerks, this annual meeting is our rare opportunity to gather, exchange ideas, and learn from one another. “You’ll learn a lot in the sessions,” he said, “but you’ll learn even more through the conversations that take place in the hallway and the hospitality suite.”  He was absolutely right.

I am truly honored and humbled to serve as your NCACC President this year.  I am deeply grateful to Doug Shima for his leadership and example last year. I can only hope to be at least half the president he was.

As I shared in Albuquerque, my theme for the year is “Growing Together.”  One way we grow together is by leading our courts and our teams with purpose.  Many of you know I am an avid Alabama Crimson Tide fan.  For 17 remarkable seasons, Coach Nick Saban built a dynasty not seen in college athletics since the John Wooden era at UCLA.  While the wins and championships were thrilling at the time, what now fascinates me is the system of excellence, a.k.a. “The Process,” that made it all possible.

Coach Saban teaches that success requires full buy-in to shared principles and standards. He once said, “Mediocre people don’t like high achievers, and high achievers don’t like mediocre people.  So if everybody doesn’t buy in to the same principles and values of the organization at the same high standard, you’re never going to be successful.”

He also identified five enemies of greatness that can apply as much to our work as to football:

1. Entitlement. Success can make people believe they deserve more without doing more.  True greatness must be earned anew every single day.  As Coach Saban put it: “You get up every day—you’re entitled to nothing.  Nobody owes you nothing.  …  Nothing is acceptable but your best.”
2. Lack of Discipline.  Discipline means doing what must be done even when you do not feel like it.  Without discipline, talent becomes wasted potential.  “Practice until you can’t get it wrong—not until you get it right.”
3. Circumstances Over Vision.  Average performers let circumstances dictate their attitude and effort.  Great performers, however, stay true to their standards regardless of the situation.  “If you want to be good, you really don’t have a lot of choices—because it takes what it takes.”
4. Self-Pity.  Feeling sorry for ourselves undermines responsibility and resilience.  “Everybody’s got to be responsible for their own self-determination,” Saban reminds us.  “If you think not confronting people who don’t do the right things is helping your organization, you’re absolutely wrong.”
5. Complacency.  The moment we think we have “arrived,” we start to decline.  “Complacency creates a blatant disregard for doing what is right.”

Whether on the gridiron or in the courthouse, these principles hold true.  As clerks, we must stay vigilant each day to ensure our offices operate at the highest level so that the wheels of justice continue to turn smoothly.  Together, let us lead with excellence, humility, and a shared commitment to make our courts the very best they can be.