Taken from the Ralph Anderson & Associates job offering for the Executive Director of the AOC. You tell me if Mr. Jahr meets the minimum qualifications.
Qualifying Experience and Education
Experience: The ideal experience for this position would include a minimum of ten (10) years of significant management experience in an administrative capacity in a court system with similar complexities.(nope) Other public sector candidates with public agency experience may also be considered, if they can demonstrate a successful track record of increasingly responsible experience as a “generalist” at the executive level in a comparable sized organization. (not even close) Generalist candidates will also need to demonstrate a keen understanding of the court system and legal matters in order to be competitive.
Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. A degree in law or an advanced degree in judicial administration, public administration, business administration, or a related discipline is desired.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The position of Administrative Director requires someone who enjoys problem solving, has vision, can both lead and implement the directions of others, and can ensure that the day-to-day operations of the Administrative Office of the Courts are running smoothly and efficiently, particularly in an atmosphere of reduced budgets and staff.
The ideal candidate will have had a highly successful career demonstrating strong leadership and management skills. The successful candidate must have experience in balancing competing demands, the ability to set priorities, a strong commitment to providing accountability, and also be able to offer creative solutions to the challenges facing California’s judicial branch. He or she must excel at communicating with different audiences, have excellent political sense, and be able to work collaboratively with judges, lawyers, legislators, and staff at every level. Only individuals with impeccable ethics and integrity will be considered. This position requires someone who is smart, intuitive, courageous, self-confident, capable of listening and learning, and ready for the unexpected. (nope)
The ideal candidate should have a strong track record of success and leadership in:
• Financial operations; including fiscal management and budgetary control in a complex, large budget environment; (nope)
• Legislative advocacy and coalition building with varied constituencies; (nope)
• Delivering services, and developing improvements and efficiencies; (nope)
• Strategic planning: capacity to meet current changes in condition while retaining focus on longer term goals. (nope) Fiscal realities may require reductions and realignment in budget and staff, call for innovations in court administration, and necessitate reconsideration and redirection of resources services to the courts to meet current court needs and public demands — all balanced with enhancing fundamental values and long term goals integral to the branch’s operations and the administration of justices;
• Collaboration: the ability to partner with the Chief Justice and Judicial Council, the courts, the management team, Legislative and Executive branches, the State Bar, and interested constituencies to provide the highest level of service and to preserve the administration of and access to justice for all Californians; (without opening the doors to the courts so the serfs can have their justice)
• Communications: skill in communicating within the branch, with branch partners, the media, the public, and the other branches of government; and skill in listening; and (He’ll get used to being a teleprompter fed bobblehead doll soon enough)
• Management: responsibility for a large and complex statewide organization engaged in a numerous diverse programs;(nope) create and oversee a skilled, experienced, and reliable management team. (certainly not at the AOC. Is the candidate applying somewhere else?Are we talking about the same AOC? ) The ideal candidate will be aware that California’s economic situation has required and may continue to require the branch to participate in additional budget reductions occurring statewide, while at the same time seeking to ensure adequate funding statewide to provide fair and effective justice for all. Like the Council and other branch leaders, the ideal candidate is committed to the impartiality of the Judicial Branch, to its ability to provide fundamental services expected of this third branch of government, and to the branch’s continued ability to manage its resources to best serve the public while remaining appropriately accountable and deserving of the public’s trust. (translation: you have to be willing to be the fall guy and take the blame)
The most impressive credential we found on Mr. Jhar’s resume is that he is the distinguished recipient of a “Jack Halpin Award” We were impressed that he dared to list it.
We’re trying to figure out what a Jack Halpin Award is.
Is this an award for those who most creatively subvert the state constitution for the longest period of time? Nonethess, there are three things worrysome about this resume.
- One that there exists a Jack Halpin Award, but then again we have the Ronald George and Bill Vickrey Awards and we would propose a few others. The Jack Abramoff award for creative judicial branch lobbying , the Bernie Madoff award for creative accounting and the Ken Lay award for prudent financial planning and media management.
- Two, that this resume would proudly display a Jack Halpin award. Kinda shows your cards doesn’t it? It sets expectations for the wonderful citizens of Shasta County that you don’t care and that you will faithfully re-appoint Halpin until his death?
- Three that this resume reads like one of King George’s hatchet men. The man behind the curtain indeed.
Behold the slimmest resume you will ever see for the position of an executive director (link) of any organization of comparable size. If this is the best that they could come up with, we’re doomed.
Our HR department kept on repeating “Are you kidding me?” line after line after line.
RESUME
STEVEN E. JAHR
BORN: SEPTEMBER 16,1948, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA
ATTENDED PUBLIC SCHOOL: PASADENA, CALI FORNIA
GRADUATED: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SANTA BARBARA, 1971 – B.A.
GRADUATED: HASTINGS COLLEGE OF THE LAW, SAN FRANCISCO, 1974 – J.D.
ADMlTfED TO CALlFORNlA BAR: 1974
PRIVATE PRACTICE OF LAW: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, 1974 – 1980. ClVlL LITIGATION, MAINLY IN THE FIELDS OF PRODUCTS LIABILITY AND DEFENSE OF PROFESSIONALS. I REDDING, SHASTA COUNTY, 1980 – 1986. ClVlL LITIGATION, EMPHASIZING PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY DEFENSE, AND COMMERCIAL LITIGATION. PARTNER IN BANDELL, SWANSON AND JAHR.
PUBLIC OFFICES:
APPOINTED TO JUSTICE COURT IN 1986 BY SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. PRESIDING JUDGE, SHASTA COUNTY MUNICIPAL COURT, 1991. (IN 1988, THE LOWER COURTS IN SHASTA COUNTY WERE CONSOLIDATED INTO ONE MUNICIPAL COURT). APPOINTED TO SHASTA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT BY GOVERNOR WILSON IN OCTOBER, 1991. PRESIDING JUDGE, SHASTA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, 1993,1994,1995,1996. STOOD UNOPPOSED FOR ELECTION IN 1988,1990,1992,1998 AND 2004.
PRINCIPAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES – SHASTA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT:
OVERSAW COURTHOUSE RENOVATION PROJECT, 1992-1996. –
PREPARED FIRST SET OF COUNTYWIDE LOCAL RULES OF COURT, 1992.
DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED ClVlL CASE DELAY REDUCTION PROGRAM IN SUPERIOR AND MUNICIPAL COURTS, 1992 – 1993. DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED FULL JUDICIAL CONSOLIDATION OF SUPERIOR AND MUNICIPAL COURT FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING A COMPLETE RECONFIGURATION OF ALL CRIMINAL CALENDARS, ADOPTING A DIRECT “HOME COURT” CALENDAR MODEL, 1994 – 1995.
STATEWIDE JUDICIAL ACTIVITIES:
CALIFORNIA JUDGES ASSOCIATION
VICE-PRESIDENT, 1992 – 1993.
MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE BOARD, 1990 – 1993.
MEMBER OF ClVlL LAW AND PROCEDURE COMMITTEE, 1988 – 1990.
TRIAL COURT BUDGET COMMISSION: . APPOINTED AS A CHARTER MEMBER IN 1993 BY FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE MALCOLM LUCAS. SERVED ON BUDGET EVALUATION AND APPEALS OMMITTEE, ALLOCATION CRITERIA COMMITTEE, AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. RE-APPOINTED AND NAMED CHAIR BY CHlEF JUSTICE RONALD M. GEORGE, 1997.
SERVED IN THAT CAPACITY FOR TWO BUDGET YEARS OVERSEEING THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMMATIC BUDGETING AND A METHOD FOR THE ALLOCATION OF STATE APPROPRIATIONS FOLLOWING PASSAGE OF THE TRlAL COURT FUNDING ACT OF 1997, WHICH SHIFTED ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR FUNDING TRlAL COURT OPERATIONS TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
TASK FORCE ON TRlAL COURT FUNDING: . APPOINTED AS CHAIR BY FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE LUCAS IN EARLY 1996. CONTINUED TO SERVE AS CHAIR AT THE DIRECTION OF CHlEF JUSTICE GEORGE, PARTICIPATING IN CONSENSUS-BUILDING WITHIN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH AND IN NEGOTIATIONS WlTH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN SUPPORT OF GOVERNOR WILSON’S STATE TRIAL COURT FUNDING REFORM PROPOSAL.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA:
APPOINTED FOR A THREE YEAR TERM IN 1998 BY CHlEF JUSTICE GEORGE. APPOINTED CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL’S INTERNAL RULES AND PROJECTS COMMITTEE.
ADDITIONAL STATEWDE ACTIVITIES:
FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF TERM ON JUDICIAL COUNCIL, PARTICIPATED ON APPOINTMENT BY THE CHlEF JUSTICE OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COURTS ON TASK FORCES AND WORKING GROUPS FORMED TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC SUBJECTS INCLUDING ATTORNEY DISQUALIFICATION, PROBATION SERVICES, COURT SECURITY, AND CONSERVATORSHIP OVERSIGHT. ALSO SERVE CURRENTLY ON COMMISSION FOR IMPARTIAL COURTS, AND ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND SECURITY TASK FORCE.
JUDICIAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES:
I REGULAR FACULTY FOR THE CALIFORNIA CENTER FOR JUDICIAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH (CJER), THE EDUCATIONAL ARM OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL WHICH PROVIDES CONTINUING
EDUCATION TO CALIFORNIA’S JUDGES. FOR 10 YEARS, TAUGHT THE COURSE ON ClVlL SUMMARY JUDGMENTS TO NEW TRlAL JUDGES AT CJER’S ANNUAL JUDICIAL COLLEGE. NUMEROUS OTHER FACULTY ASSIGNMENTS WlTH CJER INVOLVED SUBJECTS IN ClVlL LAW AND PROCEDURE, TRlAL COURT MANAGEMENT, AND TRlAL COURT BUDGETING. MEMBER OF CJER’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL PROCEEDINGS BENCH BOOKS. PROVIDED EDITORIAL COMMENT ON THE DRAFT CHAPTERS FOR THE FOUR VOLUME SET, PUBLISHED BmEEN 1994 AND 1998, WHICH TOTALED MORE THAN 2500 PAGES OF TEXT DESIGNED TO ASSIST TRlAL JUDGES IN CONDUCTING ClVlL PROCEEDINGS CORRECTLY, EFFICIENTLY AND FAIRLY. CONTINUED IN THAT CAPACITY WlTH RESPECT TO THE ANNUAL SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE VOLUMES, AND IN CONNECTION WlTH THE PREPARATION OF THE SECOND EDITION OF THE ZND EDITION OF THE BENCH BOOKS..
PRESENTER AT MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR LAWYERS SPONSORED BY OUR LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATION.
AWARDS:
RECEIVED DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD AS JURIST OF THE YEAR, 1997, FROM THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIA. RECEIVED THE JACK HALPIN AWARD, 2008, FROM THE SHASTA TRINITY COUNTIES BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE SHASTA COUNTY BENCH.
Wendy Darling
August 2, 2012
Jahr Head is an unqualified as the current Chief Justice is. Which is why he’ll fit right in.
Long live the ACJ.
anonymous
August 2, 2012
It appears dude hasn’t written a resume since 1974. He’s used to instructing other judges about their practice on the bench. Is this going to be another AOC crony that influences outcomes as the head of the AOC? And the ALL CAPS. YOU WOULD THINK IN THIS DAY AND AGE EVERYONE WOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO WRITE A FRIGGING RESUME IN ALL CAPS!
geesh.
Wendy Darling
August 2, 2012
You’d also think that anyone would know better than to admit to receiving a “Jack Halpin Award,” as if that’s something you’d want to advertise.
But that assumes someone would actually be thinking. Proabably not a good assumption at this point.
Long live the ACJ.
Michael Paul
August 2, 2012
People spend up to seven or eight years achieving a masters degree in public administration to earn the spot for jobs such as this. One would think a masters degree in public administration would be among the minimum qualifications for a director of the AOC.
Wendy Darling
August 2, 2012
“Minimum qualifications” don’t matter at the AOC, they’re routinely ignored. For example, there’s a “supervisor” in the AOC’s HR Division who never met the MQ’s for the first position she was awarded, and falsely represented having a bachelor’s degree in her employment application and resume to boot. Instead of being fired for fraud in securing employment (a violation of the government code, not to mention unethical), she was allowed to go to college at San Francisco State University on state paid time, and then promoted — twice.
The only “minimum qualification” that matters for a director at the AOC is a blind willingness to protect and preserve the legacy of Ron George and “the House that George built.” Being willing and able to ignore the law is also a plus.
Long live the ACJ.
Zoe the Cat... meowww
August 3, 2012
This makes me think of Stephen Doyne PhD and his Diplomate credential from the ACFEI, the same diploma mill that gave a Diplomate to a pet cat named Zoe. Doyne also puts on his resume that he teaches CRC 5.225 – 5.230 but failed to use the mandatory form FL-326 for years that would have legally qualified him to perform the work as 730 Code Expert Witness LEGALLY. There is also John C. Parker IV who puts on his resume his wife, a County Sheriff, he’s another guy performs custody evaluations, what’s putting your wife on your resume got to do with your resume? Jahr, Doyne, Parker and so many like them are such flagrant idiots with no real integrity it’s ridiculous. http://thepubliccourt.com to see Doyne.
courtflea
August 3, 2012
Geeze right on about the crummy resume writing. I have seen better resumes from applicants for an entry level clerical position!!
Yes many court administrators get masters degrees, some law degrees and Fellowships from the Insitute for Court Mangement. Not to mention countless years of experience in the field. Wheather it be starting as a clerk in the file room or a military background or running a public agency. This experience cannot be ignored or taken lightly. So Michael, you are right the appointment of J Head is demeaning and a slap in the face of seasoned administrators everywhere, and frankly for judges as well. I am not dissing judges but judges are trained so differently. That is why judges and administrators make such a great combo. Don’t let either on their own run amuck.
william J. Wagener
August 3, 2012
It would appear there is a “bit of descencion” in the corrupt House of Calfornications Just US system. Or was it meant to be “Justice system”.
The OBT
August 3, 2012
A resume with all caps ; I guess J Jahr is YELLING ABOUT HIS ” QUALIFICATIONS” LOL . YELLING or not he is not qualified to run an agency that needs significant reformation, downsizing and a new vision. J Hull can say it any way he wants but no one is buying his “insider” propaganda that Jahr is the most qualified person in the nation to run the AOC. The reality is that J Jahr is a Ronald George loyalist and Wendy is right , he was appointed to protect Ronald George’s legacy. I am guessing that is why Bill V still patrols the dark hallways of 455 Golden Gate . It is time to let go of the past which at this point is tainted and stained by arrogance and the gross mismanagement of public funds. We need to let go of Ronald George and Bill Vickrey and all the damage they have done and reform this branch by democratizing and reforming it.
Lando
August 3, 2012
The culture that former Chief Justice George built was to reward those that were loyal to him and William Vickrey. Those that spoke up or had differing views or opinions were denied access to leadership roles or to elevation. This was particularly the case with appointments to the Court of Appeal or CJP. By basing appointments and elevations on loyalty rather than merit, insular thinking took hold and no one questioned the misguided policies that have led the branch to the brink of financial ruin. While George and Vickrey are “officially” gone , the culture they created still exists today and that explains why retired Judge Jahr was appointed to run the AOC. He is in place to carry on the failed policies of George and Vickrey. The incredible thing is that his appointment occurred after the completion of the SEC report which articulates a roadmap for positive change within the branch. The insular crowd that runs things at the crystal palace remains in denial and can’t step up to see why change as recommended by the SEC needs to occur . General Woodhull is right. The legislature now needs to take action and move to democratize the judicial branch so that change and reform can be implemented .
unionman575
August 3, 2012
It’s who you know, who you blow.
Curious
August 3, 2012
There were a number of highly qualified applicants for the job, including people who had run very large organizations with proven results. Many had years of courtroom experience. There were people of proven character with very detailed plans for how to proceed with SEC implementation, and for how to try to restore some credibility to the branch. (And I am not talking about the usual favored policy wonks we all know.) There were people with no ties to the past, no loyalty to the old regime, and with credentials that none would have questioned.
I surmise that none of these folks had the overarching qualification needed–loyalty to the AOC and to the system George and Vickrey built. As former Judge Jahr helped George ram through his policies, and returned from retirement to assist the Chief with her 1208 problem, so now it appears he has returned again to help with her SEC problem.
unionman575
August 3, 2012
See the last 3 paragraphs of this….
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/08/03/4688237/california-reaches-deep-into-special.html
California reaches deep into special funds to pay for schools, prisons, social services
By Kevin Yamamura
kyamamura@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Aug. 3, 2012 – 12:00 am | Page 1A
Guest
August 3, 2012
Ok come on now. You are joking. This isn’t really our new AOC Director’s resume, right? This resume is a “grand slam home run”? The only “MQ” he met was that he was employed in a court. But NO admin experience at all. ZERO! Does this cj even know at all what an absolute fool she looks like when she keeps making these mind boggling decisions? I figure she could care less about making the branch look bad by her actions but doesn’t she get that it reflects back on her and that she has become a laughingstock in Sacramento?
And I still think Jar was selected only because he looks like Vickery.
Zoe the Cat... meowww
August 3, 2012
This bogus Halpin award on the CV is just the kind of thing that is in style these days with this sort of professional who we as citizens are supposed to trust and honor. Did you see the PBS Frontline stories on this sort of thing with the Courts? Bogus credentials, bogus information on CVs, lying on your CV… all the same. This is a big part of the Tadros vs. Doyne case, and as I see it this bogus Halpin award fits right into that category. You can find the PBS Frontline stories (videos) at: http://www.thepubliccourt.com/family-court-education/?doing_wp_cron=1344002190.7127749919891357421875
SHORTY KNOWS
August 3, 2012
“. . . OVERSEEING THE DEVELOPMENT OF . . . A METHOD FOR THE ALLOCATION OF STATE APPROPRIATIONS . . . ” They used the same old allocation that each court had when it was funded by the county, relative to the whole pot of trial court funding. That’s part of the reason some trial courts are broke. What’s to oversee? The allocations need to be changed.
Judicial Council Watcher
August 3, 2012
It didn’t take much effort to follow an existing template but Mr. Jahr has used it – and other things – to inflate his credentials.
Welcome to the wonderful world of the Judicial Council of California. We’d also like to welcome video journalist William Wagener, Zoe The Cat…meowwww and Shorty Knows.
Guest
August 3, 2012
Jar left out AWARDED SIXTH PLACE IN JUNIOR HIGH TRACK RELAY and MOST IMPROVED AWARD ON THE HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR VARSITY TENNIS TEAM.
Ben S.
August 3, 2012
Where’s the Stephen Doyne PhD award? As of this writing San Diego Superior Court ordered Dr. Emad Tadros just days ago to now pay Stephen Doyne PhD and his Attorney roughly $200,000 dollars for the appeal case. This now makes the total payout to Doyne about $290,000—all for Dr. Tadros blowing the whistle on Doyne’s fraud, lies, and violations of CRC 5.225, AND the consequently the Court’s own violations of CRC 5.225. Dr. Tadros never got discovery in his case. The Judges and Attorneys still put Doyne on a pedestal. See here as he is an honored host lecturer to them: http://www.thepubliccourt.com/stephen-doyne-lectures-to-acfls-sdcba/?doing_wp_cron=1344003402.7274050712585449218750
Where does this blatant back-patting, violations of rules, and violating their own rules end, and begin anew with restored integrity, ethics, and morality?
Nathaniel Woodhull
August 3, 2012
Here’s a little background on Judge Halpin. I’m not sure I’d put anything on my resume about winning an award given in his name.
http://www.redding.com/news/2012/may/03/long-time-judge-jack-halpin-retires/
JusticeCalifornia
August 3, 2012
And General Woodhull, the kicker is Halpin has not retired. He is still being assigned by the CJ to the Shasta County Civil bench, and he is still hearing family law cases over the objection of litigants.
crtwatchr
August 3, 2012
PREPARED FIRST SET OF COUNTYWIDE LOCAL RULES OF COURT, 1992
Really. Wow.
His background and experience is so lacking he felt compelled to include drafting local rules 20 years ago on his resume. Drafting local rules is something that would be normally assigned to a research attorney or law clerk. Most smaller courts would start by using a large court (LA/Sacto/Alameda) as a template and cut and paste.
“Designed and Implemented” the Trial Court Delay Reduction Act. Really. There are statewide rules of court which spell out the requirements of the law pretty clearly. San Diego was the pilot project court and started the program in 1989-1990. Most courts just tweaked what San Diego did,when all courts were required to implement a”Fast Track” system. I doubt there was a lot of original thought that went into the “design” of the system when Shasta implemented its system in 1992.
Furthermore, he was the presiding judge at the time and he was required by law to adopt local rules to implement fast track. He did the same thing 57 other PJs did. It was not as if Shasta was on the cutting edge of trial court administration when it adopted its fast track rules.
That resume would not get him an interview as an Asst. CEO in a medium sized court. The last time he was directly involved in trial court administration was in 1996.
I do not know who the other applicants were. However, Jahr was most definitely not the most qualified. My guess is that no qualified applicant wanted the job. The JC knew that they could not go out with another recruitment because it has been about 2 years since Vickery gave notice. So, Jahr got the job by default.
Judicial Council Watcher
August 3, 2012
The term “barely there and fading” comes to mind and it is evident in the very short Ministry of Truth choreographed video. You have to wonder what hit the cutting room floor.
People have complained for some time not only about the perpetual appointment but have and are complaining about his cognition and fitness for the bench. Mr. Halpin continues his “in-perpetuity” assignment “until all of his family law cases are resolved”
Order just one single high conflict case into mediation and he could sit there for another 18 years.
Edited to add: You should read the comments from the link above.
JusticeCalifornia
August 3, 2012
Yes, the comments to the Shasta article about Halpin reflect what the public thinks about him, and it is highly disturbing that the AOC keeps him on the Assigned Judge’s list, and that the Chief Justice continues to assign him to the Shasta bench. Read the comments to that article.
JusticeCalifornia
August 3, 2012
So what we have here is this: The chief justice selected a new administrative director with no administrative experience, and whose best qualifications for the job were —his blind devotion to Team George, his recent letters slamming the ACJ and AB 1208, and his Jack Halpin award. I would like to see a video of Mr. Jahr explaining to the world what that award is, and who Jack Halpin is. . . .
Perhaps as telling as the fact that the chief justice made a selection of director that insults the intelligence and jeopardizes the future of the entire branch. . . .
she made a choice that essentially said F*** YOU to the ACJ, and the loud Shasta County public that has been protesting her continuing and unconstitutional reassignment of “retired” Jack Halpin to the Shasta Court for his 19th year via the use and abuse of the AOC Assigned Judges Program. This after she has repeatedly spit into the wind with the legislature. . .
I have no psychological training but if Mr. Jahr can play top administrator with no training I can play armchair psychologist with no training. Our gambling barmaid is apparently suffering from a severe personality disorder which is causing her to make decisions based not upon what is best for the branch, but rather based upon her overblown ego and personal vendetta against those criticizing her or trying to curtail her power.
Wow. You cannot make this stuff up.
crtwatchr
August 3, 2012
I am not sure about the psychological motivation, but the appointment of Steven Jahr as ADOC, sent the message that the CJ and JC are completely tone deaf. They missed a golden opportunity to restore credibility to the branch. This appointment will simply increase the level of distrust and cynicism.
Guest
August 3, 2012
I would like to see Mr. Jar address in his next video state that he is aware of the public concerns and will defer his judges retirement while accepting the AOC Director salary, or vice versa. He could acknowledge that during his retirement over the last 5 years that he has read the paper and will not violate the public trust and double-dip.
Wendy Darling
August 3, 2012
The current situation with judicial branch administration, as reflected in the most recent action of the appointment of Mr. Jahr, is akin to someone pulling a fire alarm because the building is burning and when the police show up in response the alarm, they shoot the person for pulling the alarm, and then leave, letting the building burn down.
Long live the ACJ.
Judicial Council Watcher
August 3, 2012
Watch our first video. Harry Hull & the chief justice just got finished bombing the ocean with this resume. The video says the rest in the classic JC style and AOC flair.
Dan Dydzak
August 3, 2012
Guest, do you really think that Mr. Jar will not double dip–I haven’t checked the Government Code or other statutory guidelines, but it would seem that it is improvident and illegal to do same.
Res Ipsa Loquitor
August 3, 2012
So folks, if we look long and hard and strip away the “we hit a home run” and the deer in the headlights video, what we actually have is a failed search to find an AD. The qualified, experienced, and the capable were discarded. And we are left with (forgive me) a lightweight candidate with a equally lightweight resume, but with unquestioned loyalty to “the legacy.”
This is epic failure on the part of the “search committee” and the entire agency. I do not see how, given the current state of unrest within the judiciary and the fiscal powers of the legislature, that this a long term appointment.
When we all gather to write the definitive book on this whole sad debasement of the California judicial branch by Team George, it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact moment when the death spiral began, but this new pilot at the controls will be unable to pull the Hindenburg out of its ultimate crash and burn.
Paula J. Negley
August 3, 2012
To Res Ipsa Loquitor: Here’s a suggestion for the title of that book — Beneath The Bench.
Res Ipsa Loquitor
August 3, 2012
Great title, Paula! In my other persona as Madame Cleo, I predict that the book will fix the definitive moment when the death spiral began as when the ACJ,was formed and California judges — at great risk to their careers — dared to speak up, to be heard, and live up to the oaths they had taken.
And Paula, when the day comes when the courts are finally put back in the hands of those elected to serve the people of the State of California, your name and your sacrifice will be heralded by many more than just those who visit this site.
Paula J. Negley
August 3, 2012
I dout that anyone will remember or care, Res Ipsa Loquitor. After all, when courts intentionally ignore evidence in order to sanctify unlawful behavior, nothing really matters after that.
courtflea
August 3, 2012
ATTENDED PUBLIC SCHOOL well glad to know that!! I am suprised he did not list his best posture award or attach his transcripts from kindergarten. Or my personal resume fav: hobbies and interests!
Res Ipsa, you are right about the death spiral and I love the idea about a book. The collective knowledge here would make it a tell all to rival any best seller!! Or it could become a classic textbook in what NOT to do in public administration. I would suggest that any monies made from such a publication could go to either the recall Tani fund or to lobby the legislature to democratize the JC.
The AOC has always discarded or ignored the qualified, experienced and the capable Res. It is their trademark! Just ask the poor staff members that have to institute AOC “policy” in the courts that makes no sense or has no bearing in the reality of court operations. When you become an AOC employee in any capacity, management treats you as an “instant expert” in whatever area you are assigned to, knowing more than anyone that has worked in that area in the courts. This despite the fact that your prior employment was selling shoes at Nordstroms or in hotel management. When the AOC used to hire folks with court experience, that knowledge was pooh poohed to say the least. i always wondered why they bothered. Maybe window dressing.
Res Ipsa Loquitor
August 3, 2012
Flea, I wish it were true that AOC management treats its employees as instant experts. Actually, management treats you like an idiot, tells you what to do, how to do it, and when, and if the project they have ordered you perform turns south, guess what? They blame you! (Vickrey 101). Two facts of life at Planet AOC; blame always runs downhill so CYA. Second, practice insincerity no matter what you really think. Your professional life depends on it.
JusticeCalifornia
August 3, 2012
Let’s not forget who to blame for Mr. Jahr’s unexpected appointment to the branch’s top administrative position, notwithstanding his shocking lack of administrative experience and aged feather-lite resume.
The CJ and other members of the Judicial Council, who approved him in a secret session.
I believe the names and credentials of the other candidates should be made public.
Alan Ernesto Phillips
August 3, 2012
WTF!!!!!!
A “Jack Halpin Award!”
What an enormous embarrassment for us northstaters to even hear the mention of such a poorly chosen fallacy, let alone see Steven Jahr even CLAIM that as a professional achievement… (sheeeesh!)
“OMG…” as my oldest daughter used say in our home before she was illegally abducted 511 Days ago by that AOC/JC/CJ-enabled, judicially immunized con man! (My youngest daughter and I sure do miss her “OMG” sounds bouncing off our walls.)
FYI: I just got in from interviewing a couple of longtime Shasta County residents for a documentary I’m producing. After mentioning Jar-Jar professionally espousing the so-called, and un-heard of, “Jack Halpin Award,” one outraged man said off camera,
“WHAT?! That’s like claiming to have a judge Eaton Award!”
“What an F***ing embarrassment for us – and for Jahr!”
He was demonstrably referring to the infamous, late Judge Richard B. Eaton. Though never “caught” – Mr. Eaton preferred to preside over the male Juvenile cases in Shasta County… he was routinely accused of practicing pedophilia with incarcerated juveniles; judge Eaton was actually badly beaten up by a juvenile inmate in a snappy return to the judge’s unwanted “advances!” (I also know those allegations of pedophile predation by Eaton as most factual assertions…)
Yeah, I’d have to put the “Jack Halpin Award” right up there with the “Judge Eaton Award.”
Jahr? What the heck were you thinking, man?!
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-823725 Part Two…
Guest
August 3, 2012
Are we surprised they named an award after a person like Halpin when the AOC and cj have the “William Vickery” Award for Excellence in Judicial Administration?
Alan Ernesto Phillips
August 3, 2012
Oh! And TANI…
Do you really think that using an apparently under-qualified Steven Jahr as a slap in the face to the concerned and esteemed ACJ, as well as to countless distressed citizens (see taxpayers) complaining of (alleged) rampant misconduct by Jack Halpin are going to make things better for the greater good of our state?!! (Poor Mr. Jahr… he’s been had! And other wussie northstate judges whom refunded their moral compasses can now relax… Like you tell the kids, judges, “Next time just say no!” “If Tani jumps off a bridge, would you do that too?”)
How utterly questionable with conduct unbecoming of a Chief, I think. I’m humbly guessing you bet that your recent dysfunctional tantrum would only be witnessed by those whom fear you and your AOC and JC. “Ooooopsies!”
The Judge Eaton Award, Jack Halpin Award or Cantil-Sakauye award: they’ll forever be but a cautionary slate: An “award” is supposed to be a tangible testament of some HONORABLE act or deed done for the greater good and for others. An award should not frame acts of a pedophile, judicial misconduct or exacerbating the fragmentation of the branch with an utter destruction of public confidence in an otherwise efficacious judiciary. We can be so much better than this…
Perhaps, it could be the, “Cantil-Sakauye Award,” for Self-Protective Architecture, Terrorism-by-Tantrums, with a cute, thick coating of Subterfuge and Judicial Immunity… just sayin’
Blind Bulldog
August 3, 2012
It’s funny how we all continue to look at this through the prism of even a modicum of fairness and honesty when we all know it does not exsist. It is our very nature to want to trust people in positions of authority and we are flabbergasted when they prove themselves otherwise. We must eduacate all citizens to take a “buyer beware” attitude” when they deal with our courts and especially the parasitical attorneys, therapists, mediators etc.
Wendy Darling
August 3, 2012
Published today, Friday, August 3, from Courthouse News Service, by Dave Tartre:
San Luis Obispo First to Try New Bidding Process for Case Management System
By DAVE TARTRE
SAN FRANCISCO (CN) – The superior court in San Luis Obispo has become the first in California to use a new bidding process to find a case management system, now that the development of a statewide system has been axed.
Several companies, whose names won’t be made public until later this month, have submitted proposals in response to a request orchestrated by the state’s Administrative Office of the Courts. The objective is to provide the San Luis Obispo courts with a “state-of-the-art” system that will handle case and document management.
San Luis Obispo intends to manage and host the system in-house.
Long without a functioning case management system, and currently piggy-backing off the county’s mainframe, the San Luis Obispo courts had been in line to adopt the final version of the Computer Case Management System, or CCMS, a program that was canceled in late March after 10 years in development and $250 million had been spent.
“Our current system is non-operational,” San Luis Obispo Presiding Judge Barry LaBarbera told Courthouse News, “We can’t do anything with it.” He explained that the court has needed a new system for 12 years and had made all the preparations to implement CCMS: “We were pretty well down the road.”
But because of the on-going costs that courts would face running CCMS, LaBarbera said of the March decision to cancel development, “I understood why the council came to that conclusion.”
Then, in late June, the Judicial Council approved $3.36 million for San Luis Obispo during a meeting in which Judge James Herman of Santa Barbara, a Judicial Council member and the head of its Technology Committee, said, “San Luis Obispo is in a desperate state for a case management system.” Herman added that the decision to halt development of CCMS had left the court “out to dry.”
Judge Stephen Baker of Shasta County, another Technology Committee member, said at the same meeting that San Luis Obispo had “detrimentally relied upon the council’s assurance that they’re early adopter, they were a team player in the development of CCMS, and did product testing for us, and most importantly this is not a bridge too far.”
The court worked with the AOC to come up with the new bidding process, and if the request for proposals, or RFP, being used in San Luis Obispo is successful, it may be used again in other counties looking for a case management system, said LaBarbera.
In leaving CCMS behind, LaBarbera said, “This is a totally distinct, new process only for our court.”
The judge said that the court had not priced any case management systems before going out for bids, but that he believed in the competitive bidding process. He said in June that the court will not necessarily spend all the $3.36 million approved by the Judicial Council, adding, “We’ve always been frugal.”
Susan Matherly, the Court Executive Officer in San Luis Obispo, echoed the sentiment, saying, “We don’t keep any of the surplus above the price of the system.”
The vendors in the current RFP process will reveal the price tags on their offerings only after they have submitted proposals and provided demonstrations, according to the AOC’s contracting guidelines.
“The funds will only be used for software and maintenance, not for staff,” LaBarbera said the court will host the new system on its own server.
“We’re building a server room,” he said with a chuckle.
“The hope is for implementation within 18 months,” LaBarbera said. “We are hopeful, but cautious.”
Matherly said the AOC had been a helpful partner in the new bidding process, saying, “The AOC has a strong understanding of our requirements and business practices because we were so close to deploying CCMS.”
“The AOC drafted the RFP and we reviewed,” Matherly said.
In the competition between vendors, product demonstrations and documents will be given equal weighting with the cost proposals that will be revealed at a public opening scheduled for August 21, at which point the names of the vendors will be made public too.
Vendors submitted their proposals last week, and next week they will demonstrate for the court and the AOC how their systems would work.
The winning vendor will be announced on August 29 and a contract with San Luis Obispo will be executed in late September, according to the request for proposal.
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/08/03/48986.htm
Long live the ACJ.
unionman575
August 3, 2012
http://www.dof.ca.gov/special_fund_balance/
courtflea
August 3, 2012
Guest, not to mention a conference room named after Bill V.
Been There
August 3, 2012
Hmmm, UC Santa Barbara 1971 — at that time it was THE party school of the UC system. As we snarky Berkeley types would later say: How many UC Santa Cruz students does it take to change a lightbulb? A. 25 and they each get 5 units for the effort.
BTW. What were they thinking when they released Jahr’s resume? It undermines the man’s credibility within State government, and further lowers (if at all possible) the credibility of the CJ and the JC.
Been There
August 3, 2012
Oops! Correction. No slam intended against UC Santa Cruz, just teasing the surfing dudes at dudettes at UC Santa Barbara,
Steve Jahr, surfing dude? Nah!
JusticeCalifornia
August 3, 2012
I vote for a big, fat, detailed investigative look into Shasta County, Jack Halpin, his Shasta practice, cases and connections, and ditto for Mr. Jahr.
And while we are at it, let’s look at the background of our CJ and her immediate family. I only say that because as far as I can tell, branch leadership prefers compromised players it can freely blackmail and manipulate.
Judicial Council Watcher
August 3, 2012
Added to the front-end of this post is the actual brochure and list of qualifications that the JC was looking for. They didn’t even come within 2000 miles of their defined “ideal candidate”
Lando
August 3, 2012
I have said it before and will say it again, people like J Hull live in an isolated tower believing that all they say will be accepted and embrace because they say it. It is no different that J Bruiners CCMS claims that the system was ready to be deployed or J Zelon’s claims that the AOC enhances access to justice when courts all over the state are closing down. To say J Jahr was the most qualified person in the entire nation to run the AOC defies belief. Once again the “insiders” like J Hull are diminishing the credibility of the branch in the eyes of the legislature and the the thousands of citizens that need to make use of the courts everyday. The solution, lets democratize the Judicial Council and recall the Chief Justice.
courtflea
August 3, 2012
Wow just read the brochure above. Impecible ethics and integrity?? Bill V or any of this interims certainly would not qualify for the position. I figure J head read somewhere that your resume must be one page.
Wendy Darling
August 3, 2012
Proposed entry for Delilah’s Dictionary:
“The Jack Halpin Award” — an annual award for the most blatant disregard of the California Constitution or other State law by the bench of the California Judicial Branch.
Long live the ACJ.
The OBT
August 4, 2012
Actually Justice Hull is the gift that keeps on giving. His arrogance and lack of credibility in actually stating that Mr Jahr is the most qualified person to run the AOC just fuels the fire for massive branch reform. I guess the over 400 comments by judges responding to the SEC report and the SEC report itself mean nothing to those like Justice Hull who continue to want to protect their own insular power at the crystal palace by promoting insiders like Jahr. In an aside, has anyone at 455 Golden Gate recalled their telecommuting Swiss lawyer or ended the waste of funds expended on their Virginia based scholar in residence ?
Lando
August 4, 2012
Great questions OBT . One of my friends saw Bill V at 455 Golden Gate within the last two weeks. Can anyone explain why he is still hanging out in the dark hallways of the William C. Vickrey conference center and it wouldn’t be a great leap of faith to believe that he is still pulling the strings at the crystal palace . Hmm…..maybe thats why we are stuck with the likes of J Jahr. You can’t make this stuff up. Really.
Wendy Darling
August 4, 2012
“In an aside, has anyone at 455 Golden Gate recalled their telecommuting Swiss lawyer or ended the waste of funds expended on their Virginia based scholar in residence ?”
ROTFL. Nice to see that you’re maintaining a sense of humor, OBT!
Note to Lando: Bill V has been at 455 Golden Gate Avenue way more than once in the last two weeks.
Long live the ACJ.
Dan Dydzak
August 4, 2012
I hope Mr. Jar is reading all these comments. If he values his reputation, he will recommend forthwith implementation of the SEC recommendations and not condone any kind of RICO activities. Further, he will demand return and the firing of Mr. Geneva — the money-laundering attorney and an accounting forthwith. If he does not, then his reputation will forever be tarnished. I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt–but if he does not demand that Mr. Geneva return and that Mr. Vickrey stop roaming the halls, then nothing has really changed. He was a judge, after all. He is bound by canons of ethics, both as an attorney and former judge. Why doesn’t he call for democrazitation of the Judicial Council, or will it simply be a motley group of hangers-on who dare not case a negative vote.
Furthermore, in two of my pending cases, there have been improper ex parte communications and contacts by one Ronald M. George and his fixer attorneys Mary Roberts and Sarah Overton. Ms. Roberts’ nickname is the Lizard for obvious reasons. They have just created a new lawsuit with the improper ex parte communications, and they don’t have immunity for committing RICO activites. Also R. George, you don’t have immunity from monetary damages anymore–you ain’t a judge anymore.
Mr. Vickrey’s crowd continues to return mail to me–he is on proof of service, claiming he don’t operate at AOC headquarters. Well, why are people seeing him roam the halls? How is he getting paid if he is retired. Open the books to an audit.
The comments of others are greatly appreciated and assist me with major background for my various lawsuits. Thanks so much.
Res Ipsa Loquitor
August 4, 2012
From the information JCW has posted and the many excellent comments here, it is clear to me that Jahr will be a figurehead and the people behind the curtain will still be in control. Gives new meaning to the upcoming Muppet Shows at 455 Golden Gate, doesn’t it? The real players aren’t the ones you see sitting in those plush chairs around the imposing conference table. It will be the faces you do not see that are still pulling the strings..
unionman575
August 4, 2012
JusticeCalifornia
September 21, 2012
Wendy said:
“Proposed entry for Delilah’s Dictionary:
“The Jack Halpin Award” — an annual award for the most blatant disregard of the California Constitution or other State law by the bench of the California Judicial Branch.”
Indeed.
Halpin is back in Shasta after retiring for the upteenth time. Enough is enough. Rumor has it a quo warranto proceeding that will force the Attorney General and others to take a stance on whether the CA constitution is being violated via abuse of the Assigned Judges program (copied to key members of the legislature) is in the works because clearly the CJ and Shasta’s favored son AOC director Jahr are not dealing with this. Yep, we need a little outside intervention on this.
But if this interesting procedure is to be done, it should be worthwhile, done right, and done on a statewide basis. If anyone knows of retired assigned judges sitting for over six years (the time period during which a retention election would be required). . . .An anonymous message to JCW’s hushmail that could be forwarded to JusticeCalifornia by JCW would be greatly appreciated.
19 years as a “temporarily assigned” retired judge? Enough is frickin’ enough.
Wendy Darling
September 21, 2012
The Office of the Chief Justice has a really unique interpretation of “temporary.”
Long live the ACJ.
unionman575
September 21, 2012
Barron’s Law Dictionary:
Quo warranto
Home > Library > Law & Legal Issues > Law Dictionary
(kw¯o wär 9 -r˙ant ¯o)—Lat.: by what right or authority; an ancient common law writ, issued out of chancery on behalf of the king against one who claimed or usurped any office, franchise or liberty, to inquire by what authority he asserted such a right thereto in order that its assertion might be determined. 38 N.E.
2d 2, 5. “Formerly a criminal method of prosecution , it has long since lost its criminal character, and is now a civil proceeding, expressly recognized by statute, and usually employed for trying the title to a corporate franchise or to a corporate or public office.” 234 S.W. 344, 347. Only the state may bring an action quo warranto.
Quo warranto proceedings may be brought against corporations where the company has abused or failed for a long time to exercise its franchise; in the case of an official it may be brought to cause him to forfeit an office for misconduct. If in these cases a quo warranto proceeding determines that a company no longer properly holds a franchise or that an officer no longer properly holds office, it will oust the wrongdoer from enjoying the franchise or office. The purpose of the writ is not to prevent an improper exercise of power lawfully possessed; its purpose is to prevent an official, corporation, or persons acting as such from usurping a power which they do not have. See 148 S.W. 2d 527, 530.
Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/quo-warranto#ixzz27ATixllp
Wendy Darling
September 21, 2012
“Only the state may bring an action quo warranto.”
To be believed when it is seen. Until and unless that happens, 455 Golden Gate Avenue will get a free pass on this too.
Long live the ACJ.
JusticeCalifornia
September 21, 2012
Indeed.
Let it roll.
The few are spoiling it for the many. . .or is that for the money. . . .
JusticeCalifornia
September 21, 2012
http://ag.ca.gov/opinions/nature_of_remedy.php
“Quo warranto is intended to prevent a continuing exercise of an authority unlawfully asserted, and is not appropriate for moot or abstract questions. Where the alleged usurpation has terminated, quo warranto will be denied. (People v. City of Whittier (1933) 133 Cal.App. 316, 324; 25 Ops.Cal.Atty.Gen. 223 (1955).) By the same token, because quo warranto serves to end a continuous usurpation, no statute of limitations applies to the action. (People v. Bailey (1916) 30 Cal.App. 581, 584-585.)”
Enough is frickin enough. Let’s have an AG/CJ showdown.
unionman575
September 21, 2012
As the late, great, Mills Lane used to say: “Let’s get it on”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mills_Lane
JusticeCalifornia
September 26, 2012
The record is being made.
unionman575
September 21, 2012
http://www.courts.ca.gov/19112.htm
Offsite Record Storage
jocuri mario in 2
July 25, 2013
Can I just say what a comfort to uncover someone that truly knows what they are talking about online.
You actually realize how to bring an issue to light and make it important.
A lot more people have to look at this and understand this side of your story.
I can’t believe you aren’t more popular given that
you surely have the gift.