COLUMBUS, Ohio – David J. Knarr, Mahoning County Probate Court administrator, was among 38 court administrators, clerks, probation officers and other court employees in Ohio to graduate as a Certified Court Manager from the nationally recognized Court Management Program.
Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy delivered remarks to the graduating class, addressing the responsibilities court leaders carry and the challenges shaping the future of judicial administration.
“The work you have chosen to lead has never been more complex nor more vital,” Kennedy said. “For every challenge you face, the solution begins and ends with the people we serve.”
The Court Management Program is designed to improve the performance of courts and access to justice for members of the community.
To earn the credential as a Certified Court Manager, individuals commit three years to the advanced study of court operations. The intensive coursework focuses on day-to-day court processes and practical skills, encompassing budgeting, personnel management, project management, court performance tools and statistical analysis of caseloads.
The program was developed by the Institute for Court Management, the educational arm of the National Center for State Courts. Founded in 1971, NCSC is a nonprofit organization and a central resource for state courts, promoting the rule of law and improving the administration of justice in state courts and courts around the world.
Ohio is one of only seven states that facilitates the three-tier program for court personnel in the state. Ohio has offered the certification since 2002.
Pictured at top: David J. Knarr and Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy.