By Jenny Kitchings (SC) The 2025-2026 Awards, Resolutions, and Memorials Committee is seeking nominations for the J.O. Sentell Award and the Morgan Thomas Award. These awards will be presented at the 2026 NCACC Annual Conference in Austin, Texas. James Oscar Sentell, Jr., was a founding member and first president of the NCACC. The J.O. Sentell Award is given to an…
By Sherry Williamson (TX) At the 52nd Conference of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the J.O. Sentell Award was presented to Laura Roy, retired Clerk of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District. Laura is the 47th recipient of the J.O. Sentell award, the organization’s highest award. Laura has…
By Sarah Pendleton (WA) If lack of funding could prevent you from attending the annual meeting held in Austin this year, please consider applying for a scholarship. Scholarship funds are awarded as a means of promoting attendance at annual meetings of the NCACC by members who would otherwise be unable to attend. Scholarship money may be used…
By Liz Garcia (NM) The National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks has been awarded a prestigious State Justice Institute (SJI) Curriculum Adaptation and Training Grant to support educational programming and seminars. SJI Curriculum Adaptation and Training Grants are intended to enable courts or national court associations to develop conference programs to meet their members’ educational…
By Deana Williamson (TX) and Tristen Worthen (WA) August may feel far away, but momentum is already building for the 53rd Annual Meeting of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks, taking place August 2–6, 2026, in Austin, Texas. This year’s conference is shaping up to be a can’t-miss opportunity for appellate court clerks who…
Welcome to the February 2026 issue of The Docket, the quarterly newsletter of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks. Below you’ll find highlights from our members, exciting news about scholarships and grants, and other great articles. 📰 NCACC News 🧑⚖️ Member Spotlights 📋2026 Conference 📚 Featured Articles
Lysette Romero Cordova, Chief Deputy Clerk of the New Mexico Supreme Court, would like to introduce the NCACC to the newest member of the family. Born on October 15, 2025, Lucas weighed in at 7 lbs, 7 oz, and 20 inches long. Mom and baby are doing great!
by Kaitlin Gorman (PA) At this year’s NCACC conference, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag of Kansas delivered a lively overview of the Supreme Court of the United States. His handout summarized the October 2024 Term and previewed the October 2025 Term. I will be keeping an eye out for Gallette v. New Jersey Transit Corp., No.…
By Aaron C. Nash (AZ) Judge Bernice B. Donald (Retired) of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, was the 2025 Opperman Speaker on Sunday, August 3rd. Judge Donald drew from personal and professional experiences speaking on “The Role of an Independent Judiciary in a Democracy.” Perceptions can be reality, and Judge…
by Liz Garcia (NM) When I started as Clerk of the New Mexico Supreme Court in 2022, I received a call from Colette Bruggman (CA) about the importance of joining the NCACC. I recall seeing published NCACC member directories when I started and Mark Reynolds (NM) mentioning the collegiality of the NCACC. As a new clerk, I…