The 2010 conference through informative plenary sessions on issues of general interest and interactive breakout sessions focused on specific solutions and programs will provide practical information on the implementation of practices, policies, and programs that promote the delivery of fairness and equity throughout court systems.

Recognizing the ever-changing landscape of the administration of justice and the increasing challenges that face judicial systems committed to eradicating all vestiges of bias and discrimination from systems of justice, “Transformative Tools for Delivering Justice in the 21st Century” invites conference attendees to continue promoting the work of institutional change locally by applying the lessons learned and tools acquired through this national exchange of engaging ideas, practical strategies, and concrete solutions.

The conference theme will be addressed through a broad range of topics across eight interrelated tracks:

The conference program will highlight innovative and visionary court programs and practices that emerge from an institutional commitment to engage in ongoing self-critical examination of organizational operations in the daily work of enhancing access to justice for all court users. Breakout session presentations will emphasize how progress is charted and outcomes measured as courts continue to advance access to justice through the innovative retooling of existing practices and development of new models, methods, and means of service delivery in this technologically-defined era.

The 2010 conference is expected to draw participants from across the nation, the District of Columbia, and the tribal courts including representatives from the Conference of Chief Justices, the Conference of State Court Administrators, the American Judges Association, the American Bar Association, federal judges, state justices and judges, court administrators, the New Jersey State Bar Association, the New Jersey chapters of specialty bar associations, court managers, and judiciary staff as well as education and social service professionals and college, university, and law school students.

CONFERENCE SITE AND HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS

To access the easy-to-use online reservation system, click here for direct access to the conference rate. To make reservations by telephone or to explore other room types available, call (888) 591-1234.

Special conference room rates are $109 for a single or double room (applicable taxes and fees not included). Early reservations are recommended to ensure availability. The conference site is conveniently located for travel by plane, train, bus, and car. The surrounding neighborhood offers a variety of sightseeing opportunities and entertainment options. With easy access by train, car, and bus to the cultural, social, and historical treasures and points of interest such as New York City, Philadelphia, Newark, and Trenton, conference attendees and their guests may wish to extend their stay at the Hyatt Regency at the conference room rate.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMMING

Prejudiced? Of course, we all are, [but] just how much, in what ways, and to what effect? This highly participatory seminar will be led by the renowned Harvard Professor Mahzarin Banaji, who will conduct hands-on exercises, deliver insights into the mind’s nature and bring us face-to-face with what we know and feel without being aware. She will demonstrate how subtle biases influence how we as legal professionals perceive clients and witnesses, interact with attorneys and judges, and attempt to persuade juries. She will show how small and big decisions about hiring, work distribution, evaluations, promotions, [and] layoffs could have their roots in information we don’t know we have but nevertheless use in our decisions.

The seminar itself is designed to be engaging, [and at times is] even entertaining; the main purpose is to open eyes and minds to the newest evidence about “mind bugs” – the limitations of our minds that must be understood if we are to lead our lives in line with our own intentions.

Dr. Banaji’s seminar is based on a few principles that are supported by extensive research:

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