As we recognize Women’s History Month and celebrate International Women’s Day, it is an opportunity to honor the women whose leadership, dedication, and innovation continue to strengthen the justice system. Across courts and justice organizations nationwide, women are leading meaningful change, modernizing technology, improving access, and ensuring the system works more effectively for the communities it serves.
This year, we are proud to spotlight three women whose careers exemplify what it means to serve with purpose. From improving public access and community outreach to modernizing critical systems and safeguarding data integrity, their work is making a lasting impact on the justice industry.
Clerk Lori M. Tyack
Clerk of Court, Franklin County Municipal Court
Elected as Franklin County Municipal Court Clerk in 2005 and reelected multiple times since, Clerk Tyack has built her tenure around what she calls the “three Cs”: Customer Service, Communication, and Community Outreach. Under her leadership, the Clerk’s Office has expanded beyond traditional administrative functions to become an active partner in helping residents navigate the justice system.
One of the most impactful initiatives she leads is the annual Driver’s License Reinstatement Workshop, which helps individuals regain their driving privileges while saving them thousands of dollars in court costs and reinstatement fees. She has also helped position the Clerk’s Office as a founding partner of Franklin County’s Tap In Center, an initiative designed to assist individuals with outstanding warrants in a more constructive and community-focused way.
Clerk Tyack is also a strong advocate for innovation that meets people where they are. Her office recently introduced live-agent kiosks at the Franklin County Correction Center, allowing individuals or their families to pay bonds remotely through a secure video connection with a deputy clerk. By eliminating unnecessary travel and streamlining the process, the kiosks save time and reduce barriers during already stressful situations.
Looking ahead, Clerk Tyack is leading efforts to modernize the court’s case management system by collaborating with city, county, and state justice partners. Her vision incorporates national data standards and improved data sharing, ensuring agencies can work together more effectively while better understanding and serving their community.
Michelle Prideaux
Manager, Business Analysts, Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
Michelle is driven by the belief that accurate information, secure access, and consistent workflows are essential to justice organizations. Through her leadership, she focuses on removing barriers, fostering collaboration, and implementing solutions that improve efficiency while supporting staff, justice partners, and the public.
Among the projects she is most proud of is her role on the criminal implementation team for the Showcase case management system. This complex initiative required extensive data mapping, validation, financial reconciliation, and rigorous testing to protect data integrity during conversion. Successfully going live with a clean and reliable system established a strong foundation for long-term operational efficiency and improved case management.
Michelle also helped lead the early implementation of Property Alert, a proactive service that notifies citizens when documents are recorded under their name or parcel number. By giving residents an early warning against potential fraud, this initiative reinforced the office’s commitment to transparency and public protection—well before such tools became mandated.
Another transformative effort was supporting the transition from paper filings to electronic filing through the Florida Courts eFiling Portal. Working closely with attorneys, judges, and internal staff, Michelle and her team ensured the legal community had the training and support needed for a smooth transition. The result was faster processing, greater accessibility, and a more modern approach to managing court documents.
For Michelle, the most rewarding part of her work is knowing that thoughtful leadership and system improvement directly contribute to the integrity and effectiveness of the justice system.
Lisa M. Bair
Data Systems Analyst, Ross County Probate–Juvenile Court
Lisa has been instrumental in multiple major technology transitions, including the implementation of three different case management systems and the court’s move to CourtView 2 and later CourtView 3. Her work has ensured that staff have dependable tools to support daily operations while maintaining data accuracy and security.
Beyond case management systems, Lisa has supported a wide range of initiatives, including security camera installations, eMarriage, eWarrants, document management solutions, and integration with the Ohio Courts Network. She has also assisted with the scanning and preservation of archived Probate records, ensuring historical documents remain accessible and protected.
In addition to her work with the Probate–Juvenile Court, Lisa provides IT support to general division courts, adult probation, and the Clerk of Court’s office. Her willingness to continuously learn and adapt to new technologies has helped strengthen operations across multiple justice partners.
Honoring Leadership That Moves Justice Forward
The women highlighted here demonstrate that progress in the justice system is driven not only by policy and legislation, but by dedicated professionals working every day to improve access, strengthen systems, and serve their communities with integrity. Their leadership, innovation, and commitment to public service are shaping a justice system that is more efficient, transparent, and responsive.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we honor their contributions—and the countless women across the justice industry who continue to lead meaningful change.
