Administrative Office

The Judicial Conference of the United States convenes twice annually to consider policy matters. It operates through a committee structure with an Executive Committee that acts on behalf of the full Conference between sessions, meeting in person or by teleconference throughout the year.

Judicial Conference committees are established by the Chief Justice to consider matters of importance in the various functional and program areas of the Judiciary's business. The individual committees usually meet twice each year, before each Conference session, to examine specific issues and make recommendations to the Conference. All committee chairs and members are appointed by the Chief Justice.

One of the primary responsibilities of the Administrative Office (AO) is providing support to the Judicial Conference and its committees. The Director of the Administrative Office serves as Secretary to the Conference, and the agency maintains its official records. As Secretary, the Director gathers and reviews expressions of interest, recommendations, and referrals of candidates for the Chief Justice's consideration in making appointments to Conference committees. Committee appointments are generally for three years, subject to reappointment.

Senior members of the AO staff serve as counsel to the Judicial Conference committees (including advisory and special committees) and their various subcommittees. Committee staff dedicate a substantial part of their time to the work of the Judicial Conference and its committees, and many of the agency's efforts and accomplishments relate to Conference activities.

Agency staff help plan meetings, prepare agendas, and produce reports. They also provide substantive analysis of issues, seek advice and opinions from advisory groups of court officials, and make recommendations for consideration by committees, and, ultimately, the Judicial Conference and possibly the Congress.

The agency takes steps to see that Judicial Conference policies are implemented, often through the issuance of new guidelines or procedures.