Deborah Williamson retires… leaves a unique legacy to Kentucky’s courts and to NASJE

Deborah Williamson, executive officer for the AOC Department of Court Services, retired Feb. 28, 2011. Deb served the Administrative Office of the Courts for two decades in a variety of capacities and most recently oversaw the Divisions of Court Interpreting Services, Judicial Branch Education, and Records and Statistics.

Deb earned a reputation in Kentucky and nationally for her commitment to judicial and civic education.

Her 23-year career with the courts began in 1988 as an intake officer for the Department of Juvenile Services. As general manager of Juvenile Services, she secured funding for the department’s first case management system. She merged the Jefferson and Fayette county contract programs into the statewide Court Designated Worker Program and instituted several nationally recognized civic and law-related education programs, including Project Citizen, Teen Court, and We the People.

Deb was a grant specialist for the Office of Budget and Policy prior to being named general manager for the Office for Judicial Branch Education. She revitalized judicial education by providing cutting-edge research and education for judges, circuit court clerks and other court personnel. She earned a doctorate in sociology from the University of Kentucky in 2000 and has been an executive officer for the AOC since 2008.

The diversity of Deb’s work within the court system has given her a great deal of institutional knowledge. Her work has benefited hundreds of judges, circuit court clerks, court employees, and Kentucky citizens over the years. Deb has an unwavering commitment to excellence and a tireless work ethic. Her legacy to the Kentucky courts has been unique.

Her contributions to the profession include several years on the NASJE News editorial board, bringing us interesting and informative articles on a variety of subjects. NASJE News will miss her participation in contributing to the quarterly issues. We wish her the best as she leaves judicial branch education and begins a new phase of her life.