Announcements

Call for Nominations: Kenneth R. Palmer Distinguished Service Award

The Kenneth R. Palmer Distinguished Service Award shall be presented to a current or former member of the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) who has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and excellence in judicial administration, or significantly advanced one or more of the following purposes of COSCA:

  • developing public trust and confidence in the judicial system;
  • supporting access to justice and fairness in the courts;
  • contributing to the effective and efficient administration of justice;
  • defending the independence of the courts as a neutral forum for the peaceable resolution of disputes; and
  • promoting the judiciary as a co-equal, co-reliant, and accountable branch of government

The award may be presented to one who has met either of these criteria by direct service to and active participation in COSCA programs and activities, the completion of a special project of extraordinary merit or accomplishment or continued professional excellence throughout a career devoted to judicial administration.

Nominations for the award shall be solicited biennially (every odd-numbered year) from the membership of COSCA, the Conference of Chief Justices, the American Judges Association, and the National Association for Court Management, and by posting on the website of the National Center for State Courts, no later than the first day of March.

Nominations shall be submitted to the President of COSCA no later than the first day of May for presentation at the following annual meeting.

The President of COSCA shall chair a nomination review committee consisting of the President, President-elect, Vice-President, and two at large members appointed by the President, to examine the nominations and select a recipient of the award.

No member of the nomination review committee shall be eligible to receive the award.

Please send a letter of nomination and any supporting materials no later than May 1, 2025. Nominations may be sent via email to Ms. Sirena Kestner at skestner@ncsc.org.

Questions? Contact Sirena Kestner at (800) 616-6165 or skestner@ncsc.org.

Past recipients of the Kenneth R. Palmer Distinguished Service Award