NEW YORK—A year after the tragedy of September 11, the New York State court system is hosting a national conference on disaster-related response for court administrators confronting new concerns in a changed post-9-11 America. The summit will provide an opportunity for judicial leaders across the country to discuss issues ranging from security concerns to the development of fail-safe communications, automation and records access systems, and to prepare for natural and man-made disasters, including new threats, such as cyberterrorism and biochemical terrorism. It will be held September 25–27, 2002, at the Marriott Financial Center in lower Manhattan, adjacent to the World Trade Center site. Representatives from over 40 states—including chief judges and chief court administrators—will be participating in the conference.

Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye said, "September 11th has made us all painfully aware of the need to plan for future emergencies and disasters. This conference will bring together the leadership of the judiciary, court administration and the executive and legislative branches from across the nation to

discuss what we have learned from that day, as well as from other disasters, and where we go from here. Maintaining our rule of law in an uncertain and volatile environment requires close collaboration and communication among leaders and policy makers in all branches of government, law enforcement and the business community. The 9-11 Summit will provide an unprecedented opportunity for national colloquy on a such a timely and important topic."

Chief Administrative Judge Jonathan Lippman stated, "Over a year after 9-11, the courts continue to grapple with the impact of that day. As court administrators within our individual states, we have become more mindful of planning for unforeseen catastrophic events, both natural and man-made. We are reassessing our emergency preparedness plans and trying to anticipate new challenges that might confront us in the future. A conference such as this one will help us pool our collective brainpower, sharing experiences, concerns and expertise, so that we can be as well equipped as possible to carry out the administration of justice smoothly and effectively in any situation with which we are faced." 

The 9-11 Summit is being hosted by the New York State Unified Court System, along with the court systems of Virginia, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia and Oklahoma, and the National Center for State Courts, Pace University and the Center for Court Innovation. The web site is www.9-11summit.org.