South Dakota Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen and Missouri State Courts Administrator Kathy S. Lloyd have been elected to lead the Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ) and Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), respectively, and will also serve as chair and vice chair of the Natinal Center for State Court’s Board of Directors.
Both presidents started their one-year terms Wednesday, following the conclusion of this week’s CCJ/COSCA annual conference in Rapid City, South Dakota. They succeed Delaware Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz Jr., and Nebraska Court Administrator Corey R. Steel.
Jensen, who has served on the South Dakota Supreme Court since 2017 and as chief justice since 2021, brings judicial experience, including service as a circuit judge, presiding judge, and private practice attorney.
Lloyd has led Missouri’s state court system administration since 2015, overseeing more than 200 employees who provide administrative, business, and technology services statewide. Her career spans juvenile justice, trial court administration, and statewide court leadership.
The CCJ/COSCA annual conference also included the presentation of awards recognizing extraordinary contributions advancing the administration of justice and civics education.
Washington State Court Administrator Dawn Marie Rubio received the Mary C. McQueen Award for Excellence & Leadership in Justice System Improvement. Nominated by members of the Washington Supreme Court and AOC, along with members of COSCA, Rubio was honored for her leadership in COSCA, support and mentorship of other state court administrators, and her longstanding commitment to court modernization through technology and service delivery at both the state and national levels. Prior to her appointment as Washington’s state court administrator in 2019, Rubio had roles with NCSC, the administrative office of the courts in Utah and Illinois, and the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.
Named for former NCSC President and Washington State Court Administrator Mary C. McQueen, the award is given jointly by CCJ, COSCA, the National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers, and the National Association for Court Management.
Former state court administrator, educator, scholar, advisor, and NCSC executive Mike Buenger received the Warren E. Burger Award for Excellence in Court Administration. Throughout his career, Buenger has worked with court systems, taught future court leaders, conducted research, and helped shape national policy. In her recognition remarks, NCSC President Elizabeth Clement highlighted Buenger’s drive to push courts to be better than they already are and his impact as a trusted advisor who helped judicial leaders think strategically about the future.
The Arizona Bar Foundation was recognized with the Sandra Day O'Connor Award for the Advancement of Civics Education. For more than two decades, the foundation has advanced civic learning through accessible and creative programming that supports students and educators. During the 2025 school year, the foundation’s LawForKids.org website received more than 1.5 million page views, and Arizona’s iCivics program engaged 196,909 students.
Both presidents started their one-year terms Wednesday, following the conclusion of this week’s CCJ/COSCA annual conference in Rapid City, South Dakota. They succeed Delaware Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz Jr., and Nebraska Court Administrator Corey R. Steel.
Jensen, who has served on the South Dakota Supreme Court since 2017 and as chief justice since 2021, brings judicial experience, including service as a circuit judge, presiding judge, and private practice attorney.
Lloyd has led Missouri’s state court system administration since 2015, overseeing more than 200 employees who provide administrative, business, and technology services statewide. Her career spans juvenile justice, trial court administration, and statewide court leadership.
The CCJ/COSCA annual conference also included the presentation of awards recognizing extraordinary contributions advancing the administration of justice and civics education.
Washington State Court Administrator Dawn Marie Rubio received the Mary C. McQueen Award for Excellence & Leadership in Justice System Improvement. Nominated by members of the Washington Supreme Court and AOC, along with members of COSCA, Rubio was honored for her leadership in COSCA, support and mentorship of other state court administrators, and her longstanding commitment to court modernization through technology and service delivery at both the state and national levels. Prior to her appointment as Washington’s state court administrator in 2019, Rubio had roles with NCSC, the administrative office of the courts in Utah and Illinois, and the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.
Named for former NCSC President and Washington State Court Administrator Mary C. McQueen, the award is given jointly by CCJ, COSCA, the National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers, and the National Association for Court Management.
Former state court administrator, educator, scholar, advisor, and NCSC executive Mike Buenger received the Warren E. Burger Award for Excellence in Court Administration. Throughout his career, Buenger has worked with court systems, taught future court leaders, conducted research, and helped shape national policy. In her recognition remarks, NCSC President Elizabeth Clement highlighted Buenger’s drive to push courts to be better than they already are and his impact as a trusted advisor who helped judicial leaders think strategically about the future.
The Arizona Bar Foundation was recognized with the Sandra Day O'Connor Award for the Advancement of Civics Education. For more than two decades, the foundation has advanced civic learning through accessible and creative programming that supports students and educators. During the 2025 school year, the foundation’s LawForKids.org website received more than 1.5 million page views, and Arizona’s iCivics program engaged 196,909 students.
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