March 19th NACM Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode
In April of 2022, we hosted a podcast episode on “The Great Resignation.” At the time large numbers of employees were resigning, or (after being furloughed for some period) were deciding not to return to work. The assumption back then was that this was a temporary phenomenon. Once COVID receded, people would return to work, and things would get back to normal.
It is now a year and a half later. COVID is receding, (or at least we think it is). Yet many courts still struggle with staffing shortages. And this is not just limited to courts. The World Bank has predicted that over the next decade, the number of people of working age in the U.S. (between 15 and 65) will decline by over 3 percent. This is a prospect that courts will find increasingly challenging. This month we’re going to look at ongoing staff shortages and the battle courts are having to recruit new talent. Not every court is short-handed; not all positions suffer from chronic vacancies. On the other hand, I can’t think of a court administrator who has not told me their court struggles to find court reporters, interpreters, and IT staff.
Today we are going to delve into several questions:
- Who is struggling to hire new employees? Are there types of employees that are more challenging to recruit?
- Has your court experienced operational challenges due to staff shortages?
- What are job candidates asking for these days regarding working conditions?
- Are you exploring new ways to recruit employees?
Today’s Panel:
- Audrey Anger: Assistant Court Administrator for the City of Olathe, Kansas
- Danielle Trujillo: Court Administrator for the Municipal Court in Littleton, Colorado
- Dana Bartocci: Human Resources & Development Director, Minnesota Judicial Branch, St. Paul, Minnesota
- MiHa Kapaki: Court Administrator & Probation Director, Grays Harbor District Court, Montesano, Washington
- Creadell Webb: Chief Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer, 1st Judicial District, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Click here to listen to the podcast. The video is 36 minutes 31 seconds long, the audio is 35 minutes 15 seconds.
Leave a question or comment about the episode at clapodcast@nacmnet.org.
Show Notes
Additional Resources
Audrey Anger
Audrey Anger is a dynamic and innovative professional with over 10 years in public service, specializing in municipal court administration. In addition to her primary career, she teaches political science. Shaped by her diverse life experiences and wealth of knowledge, Audrey embodies an individualistic approach to personal and professional development. Her philosophy is that of Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Audrey is a native to the Alabama gulf coast, but relocated to Kansas City in 2027. Audrey is a 2020 graduate of the University of Missouri Kansas City, where she obtained a Master’s in Public Administration. She holds certifications in Mental Health First Aid, Government Supervision, NCIC, Court Administration Core Champion, DISC facilitation, Distance Learning, and Mentorship Practices. She maintains active membership with NACM, NCSC, MEA, Golden Key Honor Society and APSA. In her free time, she is grateful to be able to enjoy activities with her daughter and friends. She enjoys travelling, music, the beach, and learning new things. Driven by a heartfelt calling to be a positive influence and lend a helping hand through knowledge sharing, she aspires to embody leadership and diverse perspectives in her work.
Dana Bartocci
Dana Bartocci is the Human Resources and Development Director for the Minnesota Judicial Branch. Dana uses her background and passion in training, leadership, coaching, change management and communications to lead all aspects of human resources and development in the Judicial Branch. Prior to serving in this role she was the Strategy and Development Manager at the Fourth Judicial District in the State of Minnesota focusing on training, race equity, communications and change management. She has also served in various capacities in law firm and law school professional development, career coaching, training and pro bono. Dana is active in NACM, National Association of Judicial Educators and Minnesota Women Lawyers and serves as a volunteer for YMCA Minnesota Youth in Government. She received her J.D. and M.S. in educational administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and her B.A. in political science and cultural studies from the University of Minnesota.
MiHa Kapaki
MiHa Kapaki has been in district court for 7 years and currently serves as the Court Administrator and Probation Director for Grays Harbor County District Court in Montesano, Washington. Embracing her Hawaiian culture, she loves to perform Polynesian dances and songs. Independently raising her 5 boys, you will often hear her from the stands cheering for them at every sporting event.
Danielle Trujillo
Danielle Trujillo is the Court Administrator for the Municipal Court in Littleton, Colorado. Danielle is an innovative public safety professional with an exceptional ability to research and analyze complex issues and provide actionable conclusions. Through problem-solving and critical thinking, she utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to bridge gaps in information and processes. She started her career in restorative justice and loves the ability to directly serve her community through local government.
Creadell Webb
Creadell Webb is the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer for the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (FJD). He is a highly experienced and accomplished professional with a proven track record of success in creating inclusive work environments.
Mr. Webb held a variety of positions at the FJD, including judicial law clerk, manager, and deputy chief. In those roles, he demonstrated his ability to lead and motivate teams, draft legal documents, and manage complex projects. He is also a skilled trainer and educator who has conducted numerous Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and educational training programs on DEI.
Mr. Webb earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Howard University and a Juris Doctorate from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Mr. Webb is a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) certified professional and holds a “Diversity and Inclusion” certificate from Cornell University’s online program. He is passionate about creating a more just and equitable society. He is a strong advocate for equity in the court system, the legal world, and society.
