On September 8, 2023, the legal and religious communities joined together in a poignant farewell to the remarkable Frans J. Labranche, Jr. At the age of 89, he left behind a legacy marked by legal excellence, military service, and an unwavering dedication to faith and community. Early Life and Educational Journey Frans J. Labranche, Jr.,…
By Tim Gudas With the calendar having turned from 2023 to 2024, temperatures may be dropping but planning for the 51st annual conference in Burlington is heating up. The Program Committee, chaired by Polly Brock (CO), is putting together an exciting and informative agenda of educational sessions and speakers. Casey Forbes — recently appointed Clerk…
Amy Wood, Clerk of the Court, Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One Background Digital evidence has long presented a problem across the justice community. A video recording taken by a police department must be transmitted to the prosecutors, offered into evidence at the trial court and conveyed as part of the record on appeal. This…
The National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks presented the prestigious J.O. Sentell Award to Edward W. Hosken, Jr., Retired Chief Deputy Clerk of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, at its Annual Conference Luncheon on August 3, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan. “I am humbled to receive the J.O. Sentell Award and hope…
By Theresa McCarthy (LA) Each year, the Convention Assistance Committee awards the individual with the worst travel experience getting to the annual convention for the Trailblazer Award. This year’s recipient hails from the Golden State, but his journey to Detroit was anything but golden. His trip took an unexpected detour in Denver, where he found…
By Larry Royster, Clerk of the Michigan Supreme Court In an article I wrote for the December 2022 edition of The Docket to hype the NCACC’s 50th Anniversary conference in Detroit, I mentioned I had worked in the city on two separate occasions more than thirty years ago. In the article, I said my memories…
By Jenny Kitchings, NCACC President Dear Friends, In order to write this note to you all, I reflected on the meaning of the NCACC. We seek to improve the administration of appellate courts through outstanding educational conferences, committee activities, publications, and exchanges between members. Well, box checked there…we had a truly outstanding educational conference in…
By Mary Beth Kuenzel (FL) on behalf of the Technology Committee, Brian Cotta (CA), chair We are a busy group, and picking a convenient meeting time can be an exercise in patience. Technology is here to help with apps that will poll invitees for availability. Doodle is a commonly used platform to help with scheduling.…
Retirement Job: Clerk of the Florida First District Court of Appeal, 1991-2017 Jon Wheeler, 79, was accompanied by the angels and saints to be with the Lord on May 17, 2023, in Tallahassee, Florida. While the rest of his earthly body broke down, his heart endured, and he used the last weeks of his life…
By Gregory Hilton, NCACC President As clerks of court, we often are faced with some interesting and momentous events that may end up on the front pages of history. Tom Hall’s descriptions of the circus-like atmosphere that sur-rounded the Florida Supreme Court during the Bush v. Gore case come quickly to mind. I’m certain we…