How can one organize a state-federal judicial council?
In 1993 the Federal Judicial Center published a “starter kit” to help judges and administrators to create, revitalize, and maintain councils. Tips are provided on pages 10 through 14, including:Keys to organizing and maintaining councils • Increase appreciation for the range of potential benefits that a council might afford. • Leaders of the state and federal court systems in the jurisdiction must provide sustained and active involvement. • Council agendas must be assembled with specific attention to stimulating topics for discussion and opportunities for cooperative action. • Court administrators in one or both systems should provide staff support. Council size, meeting times, and other organizational considerations • Size—Equal memberships of between 7 and 14 seem preferable. • Membership—Should include judges and magistrates whose work often has implications for state-federal judicial relations (e.g., bankruptcy judges). • Presiding and staffing—Provide for a secretary or reporter a
