https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/uc-berkeley-students-get-inside-look-careers-court-system UC Berkeley Students Get Inside Look into Careers in the Court SystemKaren.Datangel Mon, 07/28/2025 - 14:26 Feature Students in a UC Berkeley program that enables students to gain insight and experience into professional environments got a front row seat to learn about careers in California's court system. On July 16 and 18, the Judicial Council hosted a group of students from the Cal Job Shadow Program to help them explore career pathways, build their professional network, and learn how to apply their academic majors through connecting with professionals with a similar background. The job shadow program is co-sponsored by UC Berkeley Career Engagement and the Cal Alumni Association. UC Berkeley Students Hear From Council and Court Staff The July event marked the first time the Judicial Council has participated in the Cal Job Shadow Program, a short-term externship that can last from one day to two weeks through remote, in-person, or hybrid experiences. The council’s Administrative Director Shelley Curran welcomed the student cohort, and throughout the day, participating council staff members spoke about their work and why they chose to work in public service. Council staff delivered presentations on the judicial branch and legislative process, collaborative courts, and language access to the courts. Court staff from the San Francisco Superior Court also visited with students, providing insight on how data analytics informs court operations. Students also heard from court staff from the superior courts in Fresno, Placer, Kern, and Riverside counties, who participated in a virtual mediation role play with members from the council's Center for Families, Children, and the Courts. The student group toured the California Supreme Court and learned more about how cases get to the high court. Students also got a peek into the California Judicial Center Library to learn more about the vast resources and information available on the court system. The group attended the July 18 Judicial Council business meeting, and some council staff mentors offered additional shadowing over the week, giving students more opportunities to observe day-to-day activities and complete small projects. Job Shadow Program Opens Students to New Post-Grad Possibilities The Cal Job Shadow Program matches interested students to shadow organizations based on their educational and career interests. One incoming senior, Li Wan, is a data science major, but her interests were two-fold. "I'm an international re-entry student from China and I'm interested in how things work in the U.S.," said Wan. "It's why I was interested in this program: to learn more about data analytics in the courts and how the courts work to help society." For others like incoming senior Layla Goldberg, the opportunity gave her areas to consider prior to possibly applying for law school. "I've always pictured myself in the courts going to trial for my defendants, but I haven't 100 percent decided yet," said Goldberg. "I want to explore government affairs during my gap year. I've always been in nonprofit work in the past, but seeing what the Judicial Council is doing as a government entity has been exciting." Even for those with public service experience like incoming junior Citlaly Espino -- who worked at two congressional offices -- spending time with the Judicial Council opened her eyes to new opportunities. "I feel like my options in public service are so much broader than I expected," said Espino. "I can be in so many roles that I didn't know existed." View photos from the Judicial Council's activities with the Cal Job Shadow Program on Flickr. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/courts-using-data-improve-services Courts Using Data to Improve ServicesCorren, Blaine Wed, 06/15/2022 - 15:09 Feature A recent gathering of nearly 200 California court leaders and research staff focused on how data can help shed light on operational challenges and solutions, and ultimately improve court services for the public. The May 26 event, hosted both in-person and virtually by the Judicial Council, was the next step in the judicial branch’s work to build a statewide court community around data management and analytics. “Many courts are very active with data analytics but want an opportunity to collaborate with one another on shared issues,” said Leah Rose-Goodwin, manager of the council’s Office of Court Research. “The council’s role is to help foster the data community and provide support to any courts that may need assistance.” Local Courts Show How They’re Using DataAttendees heard directly from three superior courts using data to improve their operations and efficiency: Alameda County: The court collects data on multiple items related to jury service, including how many jurors are called each week, juror zip codes, and who reports and is able to serve. The court found differences in reporting rates among jurors who were summonsed for the first time, who voluntarily deferred service, and who previously failed to appear, and used that information to adjust its summonsing practices.   Placer County: The court may not be one of the largest courts in the state, but it’s not short on data. For example, the court uses the latest web apps and tools to track, present, and act on data related to new case filing trends, use of e-filing and related processing times, remote appearances, and its self-help and online chatbox services.   San Bernardino County: The county is the largest in the state by geography (20,000 square miles). The court is enhancing their data analytics tools to better gauge resource and staffing needs. By looking at its current number of judicial officers, filings, and which courthouses hear certain case types, the court is working to refine the system developed by the Judicial Council to maximize their existing resources countywide. Said Nancy Eberhardt, court executive officer for the San Bernardino Superior Court: “Measuring goes toward our accountability to the public, the legitimacy of our work, and an ability to quantify our need.” Innovations Spurred by Judicial Council GrantOrange County Superior Court was among the first courts to build a cloud-based data warehouse, using funds from the Judicial Council’s Court Innovations Grant Program instituted in 2016. Fifty other projects across 30 trial and appellate courts statewide received innovation grants to create new tools and programs that could be replicated statewide. The early success of the Orange court’s data project inspired a branchwide framework focused on data governance. Building on that momentum, the council recently established a Data Analytics Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the council on judicial branch data and information strategy. The workgroup will analyze and share data to better inform judicial branch decision making and enhance public access to court data and information.