The Clerk Magistrates gathered together for their Fall Conference, September 18-20, 2019, at the Divots Conference Center in Norfolk. Approximately ninety-two clerk magistrates participated in this three-day event.

State Court Administrator, Corey Steel, opened the conference expressing gratitude and admiration for the clerk magistrates who kept the courthouses running despite challenges the floods caused their counties. Professor Toni Jensen from Nebraska Wesleyan University led the group through completing the Leadership Behavior Inventory (LBI), a self-assessment that identified each clerk magistrate’s leadership style. Next, Director of Trial Court Services, Sheryl Connolly, presented on several new initiatives, including the County Court Best Practices Review and the completion of the Courtroom Clerk Manual. That evening the clerk magistrates had some fun at the first-ever “Clerk Magistrates Bowling Night.”

The second day’s agenda included nine speakers scheduled throughout the day. Sheryl Connolly provided insightful advice on working with self-represent litigants. Deputy Administrator of Operations, Gene Cotter, spoke next concerning the new hire process. Sheryl followed with a discussion dealing with professional communications. Then IT Applications Analyst, Jordan Hernandez, presented on Juvenile Docket changes, recording detention, and LB354 changes. The afternoon sessions got started with co-presenters Hazel Delgado from CIP, Data Analyst Jane Sutherland, and the Clerk Magistrate of Saline County and Juvenile Specialist, Josh McDougall, all shared information and answered questions regarding juvenile missing data reports. IT Support Specialist, Shane Smith, spoke about recent county computer changes, and IT Chief Security Officer, Chris Hepburn, advised how to avoid breaches in cybersecurity. Deputy Administrator of Information and Technology, Jennifer Rasmussen, discussed the technical aspects of PDF archiving. The day ended with Sheryl answering questions about enhancing the decision making process. After a full day, the clerk magistrates dined at Napoli’s Italian Restaurant.

The final day began with an interactive session called “Ask the Professionals” which allowed everyone time to ask questions to three experts: Jennifer Rasmussen, Sheryl Connolly, and the Director of Human Resources, Joyce Welsh. The keynote speaker was world-traveler and native Nebraskan Dean Jacobs, who delivered a motivational presentation titled “7 Wonders – 7 Lessons: Reason to Find Hope in the World.”