As we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, it is important to recognize and honor the remarkable women who are making significant strides in the justice industry. These trailblazers are not only breaking barriers but also driving transformative change within the legal system. Their dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to justice are paving the way for a more equitable and accessible legal landscape. In this blog post, we highlight some of the inspiring stories and accomplishments of these extraordinary women who are shaping the future of justice for all.
As Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” This powerful quote embodies the spirit of the women we are celebrating, who tirelessly work to make the legal system better for everyone.
April Maycock
Probate Register/Director of Information Services at Wayne County Probate Court in Michigan
April Maycock’s passion for the justice industry stems from her unwavering belief in the importance of an efficient and accessible legal system for all members of society. With over 30 years of experience working in the court system, she has witnessed firsthand the profound impact that enhancing efficiencies can have on improving access to justice. By streamlining processes and implementing innovative solutions, April has dedicated her career to creating a more responsive environment that offers flexibility and options for both the public and court staff. Her commitment to efficiency not only reduces delays but also ensures that individuals can navigate the legal system with greater ease and confidence.
As a Probate Register, April takes immense pride in several transformative projects that have significantly improved her court. One of her proudest achievements was leading the conversion of the entire paper-based system to a fully electronic workflow, effectively creating a modernized, paperless court. This shift not only streamlined operations but also enhanced the court’s ability to meet the expectations of today’s customers and employees by providing many flexible service options. The court now allows for remote or onsite hearings, online or onsite file review, electronic or paper filing submissions, and various customer service options through the use of their website, YouTube channel, chatbot, email, and telephone systems. These initiatives have made it possible for individuals to participate in court proceedings and interactions from the comfort of their own homes, reducing the need for lengthy travel and wait times at the courthouse.
Christine Gibaldi
Court Administrator/Chief Deputy Clerk to Judge Mark J. Bartolotta at Lake County Probate Court in Ohio
Christine Gibaldi’s passion for the justice industry is deeply rooted in her love for working with people and her desire to make a meaningful impact on the public. She is dedicated to creating systems that uphold justice through fair processes, and she finds fulfillment in being part of the justice system’s continuous evolution. Although she had not initially planned on working in Probate Court, Christine is delighted with her career path. She finds the diverse and dynamic nature of probate work fascinating, as it constantly presents opportunities for change, updates, and reworking processes. This career allows her to be creative, which she loves.
Christine takes great pride in her involvement with technological advancements within the Probate Court. She has coordinated the implementation of two significant technological systems: the online eMarriage system and the new Case Management System, JWorks. These projects have been instrumental in modernizing the court’s operations, making workflows more efficient and boosting productivity. Christine is passionate about using technology to streamline processes, reduce redundancy, and create a more effective work environment for both staff and the public. Her efforts have minimized unnecessary steps, making tasks less overwhelming and more meaningful for all court users. Through her work, Christine continues to drive positive change and innovation in the justice industry.
Denise Bell
Chief Deputy Clerk at Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller in Florida
In 1979, Denise Bell moved to Lake County, Florida, and began her 45-year career at the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller’s Office. Currently serving as Chief Deputy Clerk, Denise has touched many aspects of the organization’s operations, including the Recording and County Probation Divisions. She has held numerous leadership roles, supervising every division in the Courts Management Department. Denise feels fortunate to have had leaders early in her career who allowed her to combine her analytical thinking and knack for technology with her court’s subject-matter expertise.
Since the mid-to-late 80s, it became a bit of a joke that Denise would likely be transferred to whichever division had the next major system upgrade. Her most extensive project was the simultaneous conversion of all court types to equivant’s ShowCase Case Management System in 2015. When Denise started at the Clerk’s office, they were using index cards to maintain party indexes. Statistics were tracked on a clip board, using tick marks to capture activities performed. Today, the office is “paperless” and can collect and share vast amounts of information with justice partners.
Denise has been active in numerous statewide committees and workgroups for both the Florida Court Clerks and Comptroller’s (FCCC) Association and the Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation (CCOC). She was a founding member of the Clerk of Court Child Support Enforcement Collection System Configuration Control Board, served on the original Offender Based Transaction System implementation team, and has been participating in workgroups relating to the implementation of Revision 7 to Article V of Florida’s Constitution since 1999. One of her proudest accomplishments was leading a statewide CCOC initiative to develop and refine business rules for the accurate and consistent counting of court cases at the subcase type level. After nearly ten years of work, the variances have reached the point of immateriality, allowing the CCOC budget committee to rely on verified data for budgetary allocation among the 67 clerk offices. Denise recognizes that many of the customers she works with aren’t happy to be in need of their services, but she hopes they are happy about the manner in which the services are provided. Her office holds true to that standard and strives to offer excellence, kindness, and compassion in all they do.
Angie Holcomb
Director of Court Operations at the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller in Florida
Angie Holcomb’s passion for the justice system began in 1987 with her first “real job” at the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, where she worked in Dispatch, Records, and Technical Services/Evidence. Although she briefly left for a corporate job in the public sector, her love for local government brought her back to Lake County and the Lake County Clerk’s Office in 2002. Over the past 20+ years, Angie has worked in various areas of the Courts Management Department and currently serves as the Director of Court Operations. She is passionate about this industry because the values of her office—integrity and excellence—align closely with her own. Angie enjoys working closely with justice partners and fellow Clerk’s Offices to stay current on evolving laws and exchange ideas for implementing those laws.
Angie takes pride in making a difference, especially for customers going through difficult times, such as filing lawsuits, dealing with family crises, getting divorced, or facing criminal charges. While she cannot always fix their problems, she strives to provide the best customer service possible, hoping to turn someone’s day around. In 2013, Angie led the implementation of a judicial viewer for the local judiciary, successfully eliminating the need for clerks to prepare and bring paper files to the courtroom. This software provided an electronic avenue for the judiciary to view cases. More recently, she has been heavily involved in creating an in-house task force, A.C.R.E. (Accurate – Court – Records – Expected), which focuses on maintaining accurate court records. Angie leads a dedicated group of individuals committed to providing and reporting accurate data, ensuring the highest standards of record-keeping in the court system.
Amy Doering
Chief Deputy Circuit Court Clerk at the Kent County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in Michigan
Amy Doering’s journey into the field of justice has been anything but direct, yet she is confident that she is exactly where she is meant to be. Throughout her professional and personal life, Amy has been driven by a desire to assist others, whether through providing support, offering a moment of relief, or alleviating their challenges. She finds fulfillment in creating an environment where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered—values she instills in her staff, who play a crucial role in assisting the residents of Kent County. Their dedication to upholding these principles ensures that the community receives access to and support within the justice system. Over the past 18 years, Amy has been dedicated to upholding the fundamental canons of the justice system, with the past seven years at the Kent County Clerk’s Office proving especially rewarding. The work is both demanding and intellectually stimulating, and staying current with evolving legislation, as well as changes in court rules and statutes, keeps her actively engaged and fuels her passion for lifelong learning.
One of Amy’s most significant projects is the collaboration between the Kent County Circuit Clerk’s Office and the 17th Circuit Court to transition to a paperless environment. She takes great pride in this initiative, as it enhances access to the justice system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the world rapidly adapted to remote services, demonstrating that access to justice can be improved while boosting efficiency. Amy is equally proud of this project for the numerous ways it will benefit the staff, offering greater flexibility in scheduling and supporting an improved work-life balance. This transition will enable the office to provide greater support to the court, reflecting Amy’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the justice industry.
In Conclusion
The remarkable achievements of these women in the justice industry serve as a testament to their dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to justice. Their efforts not only enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the legal system but also inspire future generations to pursue careers in this vital field. Their stories remind us that with passion, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence, we can create a more equitable and just society.
Join us in celebrating these incredible women by sharing their stories and supporting initiatives that promote gender equality in the justice system. Together, we can continue to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders in the legal field.
