2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Registration/Information and Host State Desk

Lobby

3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC)

Participants, spouses, and guests

Founded in 1966, The Historic New Orleans Collection is a free museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. Its public galleries are at 520 Royal Street in the heart of the French Quarter, the oldest part of the city.

4:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Law and Literature at the Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. Courthouse

Participants, spouses, and guests

Book: Gumbo Life: Tales from the Roux Bayou by Ken Wells

Join in and experience “Louisiana: a Cultural and Legal Gumbo” with author Ken Wells, Chef Gregory Rosary, Chef Edgar “Dook” Chase, IV, Chef John Folse, and former Louisiana Lt. Governor/Secretary of State/Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne. Begin with sampling some of Louisiana’s finest gumbos as an intro to a discussion on the diversity of our great state and its people that makes Louisiana so special and unique.

A seasoned journalist, Ken Wells sleuths out the answers. His obsession goes back to his childhood in the Cajun bastion of Bayou Black, where his French-speaking mother’s gumbo often began with a chicken chased down in the yard. Back then, gumbo was a humble soup little known beyond the boundaries of Louisiana. So when a homesick young Ken, at college in Missouri, realized there wasn’t a restaurant that could satisfy his gumbo cravings, he called his momma for the recipe. That phone-taught gumbo was a disaster. The second, cooked at his mother’s side, fueled a lifelong quest to explore gumbo’s roots and mysteries.

In Gumbo Life: Tales from the Roux Bayou, Wells does just that. He spends time with octogenarian chefs who turn the lowly coot into gourmet gumbo; joins a team at a highly competitive gumbo contest; visits a factory that churns out gumbo by the ton; observes the gumbo-making rituals of an iconic New Orleans restaurant where high-end Creole cooking and Cajun cuisine first merged.

Gumbo Life, rendered in Wells’ affable prose, makes clear that gumbo is more than simply a delicious dish: it’s an attitude, a way of seeing the world. For all who read its pages, this is a tasty culinary memoir—to be enjoyed and shared like a simmering pot of gumbo.

Co-hosted by the Judicial Family Institute and the Supreme Court of Louisiana

7:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Registration/Information and Host State Desk

Lobby

8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Breakfast

Participants, Spouses and Guests

Aradia Terrace

8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

New Member Orientation Breakfast

New Members and CCJ Board Members

Petit East

9:00 AM to 10:30 AM

Judicial Family Institute Meeting and Presentation

Participants, Spouses, and Guests

American Red Cross

9:30 AM to 11:30 AM

CCJ Board of Directors Meeting

CCJ Board Members

Casablanca Room

11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Experience New Orleans - Past and Present

Spouses and guests

Take an insider’s tour of four historic French Quarter homes of various styles and eras.  This exclusive tour is something even long-time residents do not get to see, showcasing gardens, living quarters, and unique features.  Each homeowner will explain the history of the home, including past residents and families.

After a short trip down New Orleans’ most scenic and iconic thoroughfares, Esplanade Ave., tour one of the city’s only colonial, country houses built in 1799, and open to the public – the Pitot House.  This 1799 West Indies-style home and gardens is nestled along New Orleans’ Bayou St. John.  Your return trip will take you past historic St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 featuring New Orleans’ famed above-ground tombs, each one a work of art.

11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Lunch

Participants, Spouses and Guests

Arcadia Terrace

12:45 PM to 1:15 PM

Opening Ceremonies

Participants, Spouses and Guests

Arcadia Ballroom A/B

Presentation of the Colors

National Anthem

     Presiding:

     Matthew Durrant, Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court; President, Conference of Chief Justices

1:15 PM to 1:20 PM

Stretch/Transition Break

1:20 PM to 2:50 PM

Education Session:Securing Justice:  Promoting the Safety of Justices, Court Staff and Families

Participants and Guests

Arcadia Ballroom A/B

Description:  This session will focus on the steps justices, court staff, and families can take to minimize security threats, both in physical settings and online.

Moderator:  Loretta H. Rush, Chief Justice of Indiana

Speakers:

-         James Hamilton, Founder, Hamilton Security Group

-         Julie H. Kocurek, Judge, 390 Criminal District Court, Travis County, Texas

2:50 PM to 3:05 PM

Break

3:05 PM to 4:35 PM

Education Session:Statewide Responses to Security Threats

Participants and Guests

Arcadia Ballroom A/B

Description:  In this session, CCJ members will explore statewide initiatives aimed at improving safety for judges, staff, and their families. The discussion will highlight Maryland's statewide task force, the creation of threat assessment offices, and the development of standard protocols for defining and addressing threats.  Speakers will also discuss legislative efforts to enhance privacy and security for judges, court staff, and their families and the results from the 2024 CCJ/COSCA Judicial Threat Reporting and Management Survey.

Moderator:  Collins J. Seitz, Jr., Chief Justice of Delaware

Speakers:

-         Tiffany G. Chase, Judge, Division B, 4th Circuit Court of Appeal, Louisiana

-         Matthew J. Fader, Chief Justice of Maryland

-         John F. Muffler, MS, CTM, Aequitas Global Security LLC

5:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Welcome Reception at The National World War II Museum

Participants, Spouses, and guests

Designated by Congress as the official WWII museum of the United States, The National WWII Museum is located in downtown New Orleans on a six-acre campus, where six soaring pavilions house historical exhibits, on-site restoration work, a period dinner theater, and restaurants. Located across the street from the Higgins Hotel, The National WWII Museum features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories, taking visitors inside the story of the war that changed the world. The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.

7:30 AM to 3:00 PM

Registration/Information and Host State Desk

Gallery

7:30 AM to 8:30 AM

Breakfast

Participants, Spouses and Guests Aradia Terrace

8:30 AM to 10:00 AM

Education Session: A Holistic Approach to Judicial Wellness

Participants and Guests

Arcadia Ballroom A/B

Description: Participants will learn about strategies to promote their own mental, emotional, and physical well-being, as well as the well-being of judicial officers in their states. The presenters will use research and their extensive experience addressing the impact of working in a stressful and high-profile profession to offer practical insights and tools for chiefs to enhance their overall wellness and resilience. The presenters will also provide advice on how chiefs can be effective leaders, exhibiting compassion and empathy for their colleagues, while also taking action to promote health and well-being among their state court colleagues.

Moderator: Holly Kirby, Chief Justice of Tennessee

Speakers:

− Jeremy Fogel, Judge (Ret.) and Executive Director, Berkeley Judicial Institute, Berkeley Law School

− Beth Walker, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia

10:00 AM to 10:15 AM

Break

10:15 AM to 11:45 AM

− CCJ Education Committee Meeting (Chartwell Room)

− CCJ Politics and Judicial Selection/Compensation Committee Meeting (Midway Room)

− CCJ Professionalism and Competence at the Bar Committee Meeting (American Red Cross)

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Social Event: Cooking Demonstration by Award-Winning New Orleans Restaurateur Dickie Brennan at NOCHI

Spouses and guests

The New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) will be the setting for guests to observe the making of a traditional New Orleans favorite by renowned chef and NOCHI cofounder Dickie Brennan. Following the demonstration, guests will enjoy a meal featuring the prepared item as well as other Louisiana specialties. Located in the heart of downtown New Orleans, NOCHI occupies a warm, inviting 90,000-square-foot campus. As a nonprofit organization, it is dedicated to educating a diverse community of learners and supporting the evolving hospitality industry in New Orleans and beyond. NOCHI provides opportunities for both professional and personal growth for its students, aiming to increase access and reduce barriers to career pathways. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in promoting and advancing the culinary arts and hospitality sectors. NOCHI - 725 Howard Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Lunch

Participants, Spouses and Guests Arcadia Terrace

12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Regional Luncheon Meetings

Committee Members

(Refer to conference app for room assignments: American Red Cross Room, Chartwell, Midway, Casablanca, Petit East, Petit West. Those not attending a regional meeting should dine in Arcadia Terrace.)

1:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Flex Time and Free Evening

Explore New Orleans: Signature Restaurants and Activities

New Orleans is celebrated for its vibrant culinary scene and rich cultural experiences. Whether you’re a foodie, a music lover, or a history enthusiast, the city offers an array of options to explore and enjoy.

7:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Information and Host State Desk

Gallery

7:30 AM to 8:30 AM

Breakfast

Participants, Spouses and Guests

Aradia Terrace

9:30 AM to 10:45 AM

Education Session: Vicarious Trauma: Managing Judicial Staff Wellness

Participants and Guests

Arcadia Ballroom A/B

Description: Witnessing violent incidents in the courthouse, and hearing and seeing evidence of violence, tragedy, and neglect are recurring and persistent experiences for judicial officers and staff. These interactions take an emotional toll on justice system personnel. This session will explore effective responses courts can provide to judges and staff who are coping with vicarious trauma.

Speakers:

−    Kirsten R. Lewis, KSL Research, Training & Consultation, LLC

−    David K. Thomson, Chief Justice of New Mexico

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Social Event: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve/Lunch at Restaurant des Families

Spouses and guests

With more than 26,000 acres of wild Louisiana wetlands, the Barataria Preserve's hardwood forest, swamp, bayous, and marsh offer trails, picnic areas, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing. Park Rangers will give an overview of the preserve as well as lead guests around an elevated pathway and trail, where you will learn about the history of the area and conservation efforts. Visitor center films and exhibits explain the wetlands habitat and current environmental challenges. Following their visit to the Barataria Preserve, guests will travel a short distance to enjoy lunch at Restaurant des Familles, nestled among century-old moss-draped live oaks with a beautiful and scenic view of the historic Bayou des Familles.

Barataria Preserve - 6588 Barataria Blvd., Marrero, LA

Restaurant des Familles - 7163 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA

10:45 AM to 11:00 AM

Break

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Education Session: Report of the Fines and Fees Task Force

Participants and Guests

Arcadia Ballroom A/B

Description: This session will highlight the recent work of the Fines and Fees Task Force as well as initiatives that have been undertaken in several states.

Speakers:

−    Elizabeth T. Clement, Chief Justice of Michigan

−    Nathan L. Hecht, Chief Justice of Texas (ret.)

−    Grace Spulak, Principal Court Management Consultant, National Center for State Courts

12:00 PM to 1:00 PM

Lunch

Participants, Spouses and Guests

Arcadia Terrace

1:15 PM to 1:45 PM

Group Photo

2:00 PM to 4:30 PM

General Business Meeting

CCJ Members

Arcadia Ballroom

6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Farewell Dinner: Voyage down the Mississippi River on the Creole Queen Riverboat

Participants, spouses and guests

Enjoy a scenic and memorable trip down the mighty Mississippi River on the paddlewheeler Creole Queen - New Orleans’ most luxurious daily excursions riverboat on the Mississippi River. The Creole Queen is a traditional riverboat powered by a 24-ft diameter paddlewheel. This closing night event will feature more delicious local cuisine and entertainment, making your last night in New Orleans one to remember!