TOPIC
This GEM was suggested by C.J. Mary Jane Trapp, retired. She has been an inttegral part of the GEMS program for many years. Unexpectedly, she passed on April 25, 2025 and will be missed for her hard work, expertise, friendship and dedication to the CCJSCA. This GEMS is dedicated to her memory.
This moderated panel consisting of 4 Chief Judges from different States share their views and tools for being an effective leader, including understanding of situational leadership, delegation of authority and management concepts-organizing, planning, staffing, execution and supervision.
PRESENTER
C.J Mary Jane Trapp- Recently retired from the 11* District of the Ohio Court of Appeals introduces the panel. She served two terms serving as Presiding and Administrative Judge on 4 occasions. She has served as the CCJSCA chair of the Education Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. She is also a Past President of the Ohio State Bar Association.
CJ Marla Decker was appointed to The VA court of Appeals in 2013 and became a Chief Judge in 2019. She has served as an Assistant and Deputy Attorney General for the State of VA and State Secretary of Public Safety. She also serves as an adjunct professor of Law at the University of Richmond. Judge Ivan F. Fernandez was appointed to the 3
District of the FL Court of Appeals in 2011 after having served on the 11* Judicial Circuit. Court beginning in 2002.. He served as the Chief Judge for a two year term 2021-2023, He has served as a Prosecutor, Civil trial lawyer and a police officer having retired from the City of Miami Police Department as a Police Major and a Military Investigator for the U.S. Army.
CJ Robert Patton- was appointed to serve on the Ohio 11* District Court of Appeals in 2023 and was elected to complete the appointed term in 2024. In January 2025 he was elected Presiding Judge. He has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio in Cleveland where he served as a Chief of the Violent Crimes Unit and later served as Senior litigation counsel focus on the prosecution of federal criminal tax matters investigated by the IRS
Criminal Investigation Division.
The moderator, CJ) Darlene Byrne is the Chief Justice of the Third District of the Texas Court of Appeals. She is the chair of the Education Committee of the CCJSCA and serves on the Executive Committee.. She practiced 13 years in the practice of law. She served 20 years as the presiding judge of the 126™ Judicial District Court in Travis County Texas.. She was elected C.J. in 2020 and continues to serve in that capacity.