NACM Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode – August 19, 2025
Many contend that tensions between larger urban general jurisdiction courts and smaller limited jurisdiction courts stem from disparities in resources, staffing, and technology. Urban courts, with their towering caseloads, high-stakes criminal prosecutions, sprawling civil disputes, and complex litigation, tend to attract greater funding, the best technology, and top-tier legal talent.
In contrast, smaller suburban and rural courts, quietly manage everyday justice with limited staff and sometimes outdated systems. They can find themselves on the margins of statewide judicial planning. Urban courts are often the first to adopt new tools such as AI-assisted litigant self-help, virtual hearings, and real-time language translation. Smaller courts often watch from a distance, struggling with connectivity issues and budget constraints. Is this gap just technological or is it cultural? What works in a bustling city courthouse may falter in a courthouse where everyone knows each other’s names.
Moderator
Kristie Collier Court Administrator, Maricopa County Justice Courts, Phoenix, Arizona
Today’s Panel
Melinda Brooks Specialized Dockets Manager, Franklin County Municipal Court, Columbus, Ohio
Timothy Ezell Chief Operations Officer, Fulton County Clerk of Superior & Magistrate Courts, Atlanta, Georgia
Courtney Jackson, Court Administrator, Municipal Court, Decatur, Georgia
Click here to listen to the podcast.
*Be sure to click on the subscribe button. It draws more attention to the topic of court administration on YouTube.*
Leave a question or comment about the episode at clapodcast@nacmnet.org.
Show Notes
Kristie Collier
Kristie Collier is the Court Administrator for the Maricopa County Justice Courts.
She has served in Municipal/Recorders Courts, Juvenile, State and Superior Courts, holding the roles of Court Administrator, Clerk of Court, Chief Deputy Clerk or Legal Assistant. In 2022 and 2023, Collier served as President of the Georgia Municipal Court Clerks Council after four years on the Board in various capacities. Kristie holds two Bachelor’s degrees and a Master of Business Administration with a Human Resources concentration from Ashford University.
Courtney Jackson
Courtney Jackson holds the position of Chief Court Clerk/ Court Administrator for the City of Decatur. He has over 10 years of experience in the judicial field. Courtney currently serves on the Georgia Municipal Court Clerk Council as an Executive Board Member, also serve on sub committees: Membership and Education/Training. He also serves on the DeKalb County Juvenile Youth Diversion Program for Juvenile Delinquents as Panel Member. Courtney takes pride in being a valuable resource along with being a positive contributor to his community and colleagues. He has served two municipalities and assisted a few others in small development projects. Courtney is always seeking innovative ways to grow and expand myself within in the judicial sector.
Melinda Brooks
Melinda Brooks graduated from The Ohio State University in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology. During the final two years of her undergraduate studies, she volunteered as an intern with the Franklin County Municipal Court Department of Pretrial and Probation Services. Upon completing her degree, she was hired as a Probation Officer supervising a general caseload.
Melinda also has experience with investigation, sex offender, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health specialized docket caseloads. In 2005, she was awarded the George Farmer Line Officer of the Year award by the Chief Probation Officer’s Association for her exemplary work in the field of community corrections.
Melinda earned her Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Judicial Administration from Michigan State University in 2014. She is a Fellow of the Institute for Court Management, which she completed in 2015. After serving as a Probation Officer Supervisor for 7 years, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief Probation Officer in 2015. In 2019 she transitioned to the FCMC Court Administration team as the Court’s Grants and Special Projects Manager
Melinda has been a member of the Ohio Association for Court Administration since 2008, and is a current member of the OACA Education Committee. She has been a member of the National Association of Court Management since 2015 and is a member of the Communications and Conference Development Committees.
Timothy Ezell
Timothy Ezell is the Chief Operations Officer for the Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts in Atlanta. Prior to his current position, he was Fulton County's Chief Administrative Officer of Juvenile Court. He serves as Vice President of the Georgia Council of Court Administrators. The organization has opened to court administrative professionals in all of the state's 159 counties and federal courts.
NACM Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode – August 19, 2025
Many contend that tensions between larger urban general jurisdiction courts and smaller limited jurisdiction courts stem from disparities in resources, staffing, and technology. Urban courts, with their towering caseloads, high-stakes criminal prosecutions, sprawling civil disputes, and complex litigation, tend to attract greater funding, the best technology, and top-tier legal talent.
In contrast, smaller suburban and rural courts, quietly manage everyday justice with limited staff and sometimes outdated systems. They can find themselves on the margins of statewide judicial planning. Urban courts are often the first to adopt new tools such as AI-assisted litigant self-help, virtual hearings, and real-time language translation. Smaller courts often watch from a distance, struggling with connectivity issues and budget constraints. Is this gap just technological or is it cultural? What works in a bustling city courthouse may falter in a courthouse where everyone knows each other’s names.
Moderator
Kristie Collier Court Administrator, Maricopa County Justice Courts, Phoenix, Arizona
Today’s Panel
Melinda Brooks Specialized Dockets Manager, Franklin County Municipal Court, Columbus, Ohio
Timothy Ezell Chief Operations Officer, Fulton County Clerk of Superior & Magistrate Courts, Atlanta, Georgia
Courtney Jackson, Court Administrator, Municipal Court, Decatur, Georgia
Click here to listen to the podcast.
*Be sure to click on the subscribe button. It draws more attention to the topic of court administration on YouTube.*
Leave a question or comment about the episode at clapodcast@nacmnet.org.