COURT ALERTS IN EFFECT. Administrative Office of the Courts
Office of the State Court Administrator
Amy Quinlan, Esq., State Court Administrator
The State Court Administrator (SCA) directs the Administrative Office of the Courts and is appointed by the Chief Justice. The SCA oversees the Judicial Branch budget and all facilities, personnel, information services, court security, and court operations for the Judicial Branch.
The AOC has five major divisions that report to the SCA: Finance and Administration, Information and Technology, Court Operations, Legal Affairs and Public Relations, and Human Resources.
Finance and Administration
Thomas Hild, Chief of Finance and Administration
The Finance and Administration division is comprised of the following major areas and handles the Judicial Branch’s fiscal, facility, and security needs:
- Budget and Accounting – Provides financial services to the Judicial Branch.
- Court Facilities – Responsible for maintaining court facilities, service contracts, and new construction projects.
- Judicial Marshals – State Law Enforcement Agency responsible for the safety and security of staff and visitors at all Maine court facilities.
- Procurement – Provides support and guidance to all divisions within the Judicial Branch to ensure compliance with State of Maine purchasing policies and procedures.
Information and Technology
David Packard, Chief Information Officer
The Office of Information Technology (OIT) delivers reliable, cost effective, and secure IT services to the Judicial Branch. Ongoing activities include provisioning, developing and maintaining enterprise and desktop software applications, data centers, networks, computers, courtroom AV, video conferencing and phones, operating a help desk, and managing information security.
Three functional areas deliver and manage these technical services:
- Infrastructure and Technology - supported by system administrators, field technicians, and helpdesk technicians;
- Application Development and Implementation - supported by business analysts; Application Developers, Trainers, and Helpdesk Technicians; and
- Information Technology Projects – supported by project managers and quality assurance testers.
Court Operations
Michelle Ardabily, Chief of Court Operations
Court Operations includes the following areas of court administration: court operations, court services, and case process improvement. The Chief of Court Operations ensures coordination among the case category managers of civil, criminal and family matters and works closely with information technology and other areas within the AOC to achieve accuracy and efficiency in court processes and case flow management.
- Court Operations – Provides support, supervision, and resources for the offices of the Clerks of Court in the District and Superior Courts, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Business and Consumer Docket.
- Court Services – Includes the Violations Bureau and Service Center, Court Access and Interpreters, Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution, and Office of Transcripts Operation.
- Case Process Improvement – Includes Civil and the Foreclosure Diversion Program, Criminal and Specialty Dockets, and the Family Division.
Legal Affairs & Public Relations
Barbara Cardone, Esq., Director of Legal Affairs and Public Relations
The Office of Legal Affairs and Public Relations is responsible for internal and external communications to inform and educate staff and various court users and stakeholder groups. Staff manage the Judicial Branch websites, develop court process resources, and produce publications to assist jurors and self-represented litigants.
The Office also tracks state legislation and works with the Judicial Branch’s leadership to provide testimony as needed at the Maine Legislature. The Office acts as the liaison between the state legislative and judicial branches of government.
Human Resources
Kelly John, Director of Human Resources
The Office of Human Resources develops and enforces the Judicial Branch’s human resource policies, manages labor relations, assists with recruitment, processes payroll and benefits, promotes wellness and safety services, and provides training and development services to Judicial Branch employees.