Membership

Through the National Conference of State Trial Judges (NCSTJ), you have the opportunity to learn, network and socialize with your peers from around the country on matters of concern to you.

The NCSTJ maintains its interest in judicial education, supporting the National Judicial College, which was originally created as a part of the Conference. The NCSTJ participates in numerous substantive programs throughout the year, including the interactive Judicial Division Clerkship program. Click here for more information.

The Conference is instrumental in establishing valuable legal standards adopted by the ABA and used as guidelines nationwide, including trial management standards, jury standards and judicial compensation standards.

In addition to the Judicial Division's award winning magazine, The Judges' Journal, NCSTJ members receive Trial Judges News the Conference newsletter, free of charge. Trial Judges News is contained in the Judicial Division Record, the Division's newsletter, and seeks to inform the nation's trial court judges on issues of concern and developments of interest.

As an NCSTJ member, you also have the opportunity to join the many Conference committees. Through the work of these committees, the NCSTJ works to improve the judicial process and the quality of justice by giving members an effective channel for the exchange of information and viewpoints. The Conference's committees have produced valuable publications, including books on the issues of juvenile violence, judicial performance evaluation, court delay reduction and judicial fringe benefits, as well as a reference book for the orientation of new judges. The NCSTJ also annually compiles and distributes a Directory of State Judicial Officers with Chief Justices and Court Administrators nationwide. Committees also serve as a vehicle for state and judicial organizations to work together on mutual concerns.

• Judicial education
• Establishing legal standards and guidelines
• Diversity in our Conference and throughout the legal system
• Improving the administration of justice in the courts, by building a stronger, more efficient system to resolve disputes
• Improving the jury system throughout the country by promoting the ABA Principles for Juries and Jury Trials
• Enhancing the public's understanding and respect for the judicial system
• Improving courtroom technology within the court system and between the court and court's users
• Obtaining reasonable salaries, retirement plans, immunity and working conditions through the justice system
• Supporting the National Judicial College, which was originally created as a part of the Conference

The NCSTJ recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. Help celebrate the Conference's accomplishments by watching the commemorative video.

Complete an online membership application today.

If you are not an ABA member, click here to join.

Contact our Service Center by phone at (800) 285-2221.

For more information on membership, please contact the Judicial Division Membership Specialist by
E-mail or by calling
Phone: 312.988.5124

The current NCSTJ Membership Chair is Judge Cheryl Cesario.

The National Conference of State Trial Judges (NCSTJ) is an organization by and for the nation's state court general jurisdiction judges. A powerful force for improvement of the judiciary since its inception in 1958, the NCSTJ is the oldest organization of general jurisdiction state trial judges in continuous existence in the nation. Currently there are over 1,000 members nationwide. The NCSTJ is made up of several working committees that address such issues as judicial immunity, compensation, retirement and benefits, performance evaluation, jury standards, literacy, victims rights and funding for the court system.

The NCSTJ seeks to: improve the administration of justice; promote judicial independence; increase public understanding of the judicial system; provide a national forum to exchange information on common issues; and represent the interest of the nation's general jurisdiction trial judges in building a stronger,

Each Judicial Division conference has its own bylaws. Click to download and view the NCSTJ bylaws.