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Bar News - November 9, 2001 Zibel Named General Counsel to Supreme Court, Judicial Branch THE NEW HAMPSHIRE Supreme Court has announced a major reorganization of its administrative staff. On October 11, the Supreme Court named its longtime clerk and reporter of decisions, Howard J. Zibel, as general counsel to the Supreme Court and the judicial branch. Eileen Fox, who had been the court’s legal counsel for nearly four years, was appointed clerk of the court and Deputy Clerk David S. Peck was named reporter of decisions. The changes went into effect by the end of October. The move comes as the result of a yearlong study by the Supreme Court of its administrative structure. During that study, the court’s justices have been gathering information from both court staff and from the National Center for State Courts, which has been conducting an independent review of the court’s operation since last spring. Penelope J. Wentland, a senior court management consultant for the NCSC who supervised the Supreme Court review, called the staff changes "a tremendous step that will work for each of the individuals involved and enhance the effectiveness of the court." In announcing the staff moves, Chief Justice David A. Brock said that the court "recognized that it was time to change administrative responsibilities both to maximize the contribution of our valuable staff and to improve the efficiency of the court." "We are very pleased that everyone involved is as enthused as we are about their new roles," said Brock. Zibel now heads up the newly created Office of Legal Counsel (composed of existing staff), advising the Supreme Court and the court system on legal matters. The Office of Legal Counsel combines legal services that were previously provided to the Supreme Court by its staff and by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The legal counsel’s office will also oversee judicial education programs for both the trial and appellate courts. Elizabeth L. Hodges, who was legal counsel to the AOC and director of judicial education, is working with Zibel as deputy general counsel. As general counsel, Zibel also has primary responsibility for representing the court before the New Hampshire House and Senate. In that role, Zibel will work closely with lawmakers as they consider legislation and proposed constitutional changes that would affect the judicial branch. Zibel, who had served for more than 16 years as deputy clerk and then as clerk of the court and reporter of decisions, said he welcomed the opportunity to have more influence on policy matters and to build on the relationship between the judicial branch and other branches of government. "I am honored to have the court system as my client. I look for ward to offering advice and counsel as we work on the people’s business," Zibel said. As clerk of the court, Fox has primary responsibility for the administrative operation of the Supreme Court, including scheduling oral arguments, tracking case progress through the appellate system, handling personnel matters and conducting public outreach. "I know this position has many challenges and I look forward to getting started," Fox said prior to taking on her new role. Peck’s duties as reporter of decisions include review and final editing of the court’s opinions and orders. Peck also supervises preparation of the "New Hampshire Reports," the official compilation of the court’s written opinions. According to Wentland, the staff changes are "the court’s strategic response to the increasing complexity and sophistication of the work it has to do." "I believe these changes will have a positive impact on the justice system of New Hampshire and on its citizens," Wentland said.
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