President Barack Obama has put forward the nomination of Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera of the Maryland Court of Appeals to join the Board of Directors at the State Justice Institute (SJI). The nomination was submitted to the U.S. Senate on July 13 for consideration.
If approved by the Senate, Chief Judge Barbera will replace Jonathan Lippman, who served as Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 2009 until 2015. Her term on the SJI Board would end on September 17, 2018.
Chief Judge Barbera expressed her gratitude for the nomination: “I am honored to be nominated by President Obama to serve on the State Justice Institute’s Board of Directors. It would be a privilege to work with this unique organization to support our state courts, help address major issues in criminal, civil, juvenile, family, and appellate matters, encourage innovative solutions, and better serve the public.”
The State Justice Institute was established in 1984 under federal law. It provides grants aimed at enhancing justice quality in state courts and promoting efficient solutions to common court challenges. The SJI also facilitates sharing successful innovations across state court systems.
The institute is managed by an 11-member board appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The composition includes six state court judges, one state court administrator, and four public members.
Mary Ellen Barbera has held her position as Chief Judge since 2013 after joining the Maryland Court of Appeals in 2008. She previously served as a judge for the Maryland Court of Special Appeals from 2002 to 2008 and worked within Maryland's Office of Legal Counsel from 1998 to 2002. Earlier roles included deputy chief in Maryland Attorney General’s Criminal Appeals Division from 1989 to 1998 and assistant attorney general between 1985 and 1989. Additionally, she teaches as an adjunct faculty member at American University Washington College of Law.