IT Issues from the Judicial Perspective

1. IT Issues from the Judicial Perspective Hon. Edward Prado, Circuit Judge, 5th Circuit Hon. Thomas Vanaskie, District Judge, MDPA Hon. Wes Steen, Bankruptcy Judge, SDTX Hon. Nancy Nowak, Magistrate Judge, WDTX

2. Chamber’s Users: Unique Opportunities • Nearly all are digital immigrants • Self-directed and busy • They don’t know what they don’t know

3. Chamber’s Users: Unique Opportunities • They want to know what they NEED to know • … Tools and toys must connect with tasks • E.g. smartphones

4. Chamber’s Users: Unique Opportunities Challenges: • Geography: Judges in remote locations • Institutional structure and mindset

5. Chamber’s Users: Unique Opportunities Challenges: • Judges themselves: • Diversity of skill and interest levels • “Language” barrier • The “curmudgeon” factor • Your unfamiliarity with Chambers’ tasks and business processes

6. MOVING FROMApplication-Centric to Function-Centric Must Understand the Work Product and Work Flow. Three problems: Sometimes the judge doesn’t know There is tremendous variety Judges operate in different environments

7. MOVING FROMApplication-Centric to Function-Centric AGGRESSIVE APPROACH—identify and work with 3 groups: Power Users Analyze work flow; process map Identify existing software & write new software Design training Review successes & failures; start over

8. Process Flow

9. MOVING FROMApplication-Centric to Function-Centric AGGRESSIVE APPROACH—identify and work with 3 groups: Those who want to follow: Arrange demos Make training available

10. MOVING FROMApplication-Centric to Function-Centric AGGRESSIVE APPROACH— identify and work with 3 groups: Those who do not want any part of technology Enlist their staffs if possible Let their colleagues lead by example

11. MOVING FROMApplication-Centric to Function-Centric LESS AGGRESSIVE APPROACH: Organize informal discussions with interested judges Take opportunities to visit chambers and observe When installing and fixing equipment Hang out at the Judges IT Training, especially discussion areas

12. MOVING FROMApplication-Centric to Function-Centric BABY STEPS Don’t try to create the perfect system on the first try Life, and IT development, is a voyage, not a destination

13. MOVING FROMApplication-Centric to Function-Centric DESIGNATE A PERSON AS JUDICIAL INTERFACE: Focuses responsibility For communication For follow-up Let’s the judge know whom to talk to Include “walking around, talking, and observing” in the job description

14. MOVING FROMApplication-Centric to Function-Centric FIND A WAY TO HELP STAFF UNDERSTAND THE LAW AND THE LEGAL PROCESS Sit in the courtroom Read layman explanations of the law Ask judges to have “chambers chats”

15. Training Resources • ***JIT Site*** • Case Management and Opinion Writing • Law Clerk On-line Automation Training

16. Training Resources • Case management and opinion writing • New judge training document

17. Compliments • COOP implementation • Remote access tools • JPort • Smartphones • Backup schedules

18. Compliments • Tools to support electronic case management • Dual monitors • Scanners • Adobe Acrobat upgrades

19. Next Steps • Initiating and supporting local training programs for Judges and staff • Expanding courtroom, communication and collaboration options

20. Next Steps • Expanded integration of applications (e.g. CEO) • Improve communication between IT and Chambers • Problem identification and solutions

21. Critical Questions: • Will we use technology to perform the same processes more efficiently…or will we re-think processes given new technologies? • Will IT staffs lead or will they follow? (proactive vs. reactive)

22. “The Invitation” • Move from a reactive to proactive relationship with Chambers • Identify and use your Chambers’ allies • Re-imagine your District IT Committee

23. “The Invitation” • Know that you play a vital role to the Chambers’ users