CHIEF JUSTICE RECEIVES JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming State Bar and the Wyoming Supreme Court are pleased to announce that the Honorable Kate Fox, Chief Justice of the Wyoming Supreme Court, is this year’s recipient of the Larry L. Lehman Award for Judicial Excellence. The award was presented at this year’s Annual Meeting & Judicial Conference in Cheyenne, Wyoming, by Hon. Dawnessa A. Snyder and Hon. Wendy M. Bartlett on behalf of the Wyoming Judicial Council.

Chief Justice Fox stepped into an important leadership role during the COVID-19 pandemic, even before she assumed the duties of Chief. She was a constant presence during that difficult time, coordinating measures necessary to keep the branch operating smoothly.

In assuming the duties of Chief, Justice Fox set an ambitious course for modernizing the branch and its governance to better deal with those issues that most challenge the performance and job satisfaction of judges, court clerks, and the Administrative Office of the Courts. Under Chief Justice Fox’s leadership, the Wyoming Judicial Council is actively engaged in branch-wide policy discussion and strategic planning to address staff and judge pay, self-represented litigant resources (navigator program and forms), a pilot mental health diversion program, branch administration of treatment courts, and other key issues. One of Chief Justice Fox’s top priorities has been to educate the Wyoming Legislature about the challenges facing today’s courts and the resources needed to effectively meet those challenges.

Chief Justice Fox also has devoted significant time and energy traveling the state and getting to know folks within the courts and communities of each judicial district. These relationships and the partnerships she has fostered with external stakeholders, including county and executive branch officials, and legislators, are yielding significant benefits and will continue to do so.

Wyoming’s judicial branch is better for Chief Justice Kate Fox’s insight and efforts. She is most deserving of the Lehman Award for Judicial Excellence.

The Lehman Award is given in memory of Justice Lehman, who died in 2004, and who is remembered for his tireless efforts to improve the operation of the court system and to provide greater access to justice for all Wyoming citizens.

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