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FEDERAL COURT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
tangible benefits

FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER

There are many programs available to develop interpersonal and leadership skills. But only the Federal Judicial Center's Federal Court Leadership Program (and Leadership Development Program for Probation and Pretrial Officers) immerses current and aspiring leaders in a progressive series of seminars, activities, and special projects focusing on issues unique to the federal judiciary

Intensive instruction

Commitment to effecting real, positive change in the courts is a foundation for participation in the Federal Court Leadership Program. The challenging, two-and-a-half-year program is open to managers and specialists at the CL-27 level or above in district, appellate, and bankruptcy clerks' offices and in circuit executive, staff attorney, circuit librarian, and bankruptcy administrators' offices. Conducted in four phases, the program combines on-line instruction, face-to-face workshops, and self-directed projects at the court unit level.

In phase one, participants each devise a project to analyze and find solutions for a recurring operational or administrative problem in their court units. On completion of their projects, participants attend a leadership seminar at which unit executives share insights about the challenges facing court leaders. At the seminar, participants also begin writing action plans to develop leadership skills within the scope of current duties.

Goals

• to develop learning skills so that individuals can further their own growth as leaders
• to enhance problem-solving and decision-making skills
• to build the skills needed to motivate and inspire others
• to broaden individuals' perceptions about their role in judicial administration
• to develop commitment to serving the courts.

Benefits

• Participants learn problem-solving models they can apply to their projects in the program and in the courts.
• Comprehensive feedback on key skills helps people "lead from where they are."
• Temporary duty assignments expose participants to new management techniques, modes of operation , experimental programs or job duties.
• Independent study encourages exploration of cutting-edge leadership and management topics.
• Participants can apply for college credit from participating institutions.

Participants next undertake a temporary duty assignment-which can be in another district, another government agency, or a private company- or independent research.

In the final phase of the program, participants attend a seminar on the leader's role in implementing change and develop action plans for self-directed study after the program.

Application

The Federal Court Leadership Program is open to current supervisors and managers and to specialists in procurement, facilities, finance, automation, training, and personnel. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree and four years' federal court experience, or an advanced degree and three years' federal court experience. In special cases, individuals who do not meet these criteria but who have the endorsement of their unit executive may apply. (All applicants need unit executive approval.) Qualifying applicants can obtain an application form from the Center's homepage at http://156.132.47.23o/. New programs commence in even numbered years. Enrollment is limited to 75. For more information, contact Fran Toler at (202) 502-4128 or at ftoler@fjc.gov.

What Some participants have accomplished in the Federal Judicial Center's
Federal Court Leadership Program:

• saved more than $80,000 in juror subsistence over 18 months
• reduced docketing errors by more than two thirds in three months
• reduced CJA voucher returns to zero in eight months
• saved $11,000 in annual staff costs for processing skeleton filings

Federal Judicial Center
Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building
One Columbus Circle, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-8003

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