Md. Admin. Order of 2015-09-29 (Conference of Circuit Court Clerks)

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF MARYLAND

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON THE

CONFERENCE OF CIRCUIT COURT CLERKS

WHEREAS, A Conference of Circuit Court Clerks has existed since December

1999, whose purpose is to provide a forum for policy discussion, information exchange,

professional development, and to assist and advise, as needed, the Chief Judge of the Court

of Appeals, the Judicial Council, the Conference of Circuit Judges, the Administrative

Office of the Courts, and the Conference of Circuit Court Administrators; and

WHEREAS, The Conference has recommended the expansion of its membership;

and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to do so and to harmonize the structure of the

Conference of Circuit Court Clerks within the governance structure adopted by the Chief

Judge of the Court of Appeals.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Mary Ellen Barbera, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals

and administrative head of the Judicial Branch, pursuant to the authority conferred by

Article IV, § 18 of the Constitution, do hereby order this 29th day of September 2015,

effective immediately, that:

(A) Membership. The Conference shall consist of the Clerk of Court for each

Circuit Court of Maryland and the State Court Administrator. A member of

the Conference of Circuit Court Administrators and a District Administrative

Clerk shall serve as liaisons to the Conference.

(B) Officer; Terms

(1) The Clerks shall elect a Chair and Vice-Chair of the Conference.

(2) The term of the Chair and Vice-Chair, chosen by the Clerks, shall be

one year and shall begin on January 1 of each year.

(3) In the absence of the Chair, the Vice-Chair shall act as Chair.

(C) Quorum; Meetings; Staff.

(1) A majority of the Conference members constitutes a quorum.

(2) The Conference shall meet at least four times a year, in Annapolis, at

the times the Conference determines.

(3) The Administrative Office of the Courts shall serve as secretariat to

the Conference.

(D) Functions. The Conference shall:

(1) Exchange ideas and views on matters relating to the operation of the

offices of the Circuit Court Clerks;

(2) Promote and improve the efficiency of the offices of the Circuit Court

Clerks through recommendations as to matters such as long range

strategic planning, effective management, and clerk education and

training;

(3) Consider and make recommendations to the Chief Judge of the Court

of Appeals, the Judicial Council, the Conference of Circuit Judges,

the State Court Administrator, and the Conference of Circuit Court

Administrators regarding legislation and policies affecting the

operation of the offices of the Circuit Court Clerks;

(4) Assist the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and the State Court

Administrator in the preparation of the budget proposed for the

Judicial Branch to the extent the budget relates to the operation of the

offices of the Circuit Court Clerks;

(5) Provide advice on such other matters as the Chief Judge of the Court

of Appeals, the Judicial Council, the Conference of Circuit Judges,

the State Court Administrator, and the Conference of Circuit Court

Administrators may request from time to time;

(6) Consider and make recommendations to the Education Committee of

the Judicial Council regarding the professional dev elopment of

Circuit Court Clerks; and

(7) Provide a forum for mentoring of Circuit Court Clerks.

(E) The previous Order Creating and Continuing the Conference of Circuit Court

Clerks, filed December 15, 1999, shall be and hereby is rescinded.

/s/ Mary Ellen Barbera

Mary Ellen Barbera

Chief Judge

Court of Appeals of Maryland

Filed: September 29, 2015

/s/ Bessie M. Decker_

Bessie M. Decker

Clerk

Court of Appeals of Maryland