Hiring Employees: Is the Power Imbalance Real and Do We Even Care?

Court Leader's Advantage

April 18th, 2023, Court Leader’s Advantage Podcast Episode

We have been talking about various aspects of employee recruitment and selection, often as it intersects with diversity, equity, and inclusion. This brought up the topic of the power imbalance surrounding employee selection. Traditionally, job candidates enter the selection process in a powerless and sometimes even in a belittling position.

The NACM Model Code of Conduct, Canon 1.4 states “A court professional treats litigants, co-workers, and all others interacting with the court with dignity, respect, and courtesy.”

So, the questions arise:

· Is the power imbalance in the hiring process real?

· Is it disrespectful to job candidates?

· Do we who hire court employees actually have any interest in altering that power imbalance?

Most of us have been on both sides of the interview table. And most of us can agree that applying for a job can be competitive and it can be nerve-wracking; can it also be demeaning?

Today’s Panelists

Karl Thoennes, Court Administrator for the Second Judicial Circuit Court, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Karl began his career in the courts in Alaska in 1988, working as a division supervisor at the state’s largest trial court in Anchorage. He was appointed as Court Administrator in Todd County, Minnesota in 1998, and then Stearns County, St. Cloud, two years later. In 2004 he was appointed as Administrator for the Second Judicial Circuit in South Dakota. Karl has guest lectured at St. Cloud State University on court structure and management, spoken on international public ethics in Minneapolis, and completed two graduate seminars in public policy in Sapporo, Japan, first as a student and then guest speaker. He holds a Masters degree in public administration from the University of Alaska.

Rick Pierce, Judicial Programs Administrator for the Pennsylvania Administrative Office of the Courts. As judicial programs administrator, Rick is responsible for program implementation and education in court administration at the general and limited jurisdiction court levels. Rick served as the President for the Mid-Atlantic Association for Court Management for 2005-2006. Previously he has served on the MAACM advisory board from 1997-2005. A graduate from Washington and Lee University, Rick received his Masters in Public Administration from Shippensburg University in 1995. He has been an active member of the Pennsylvania Association of Court Management, (PACM) since its inception in 1989. He has served as a board member from 1994-2001, culminating in his presidency in 2000-2001.

Liz Rambo, Trial Court Administrator for the Lane County Circuit Court in Eugene Oregon. As the TCA for one of Oregon’s largest courts, Liz is responsible for all non-judicial court functions including budget, human resources, technology, facilities, and business efficiency. A 31-year court employee, Liz has a history of advocacy for the mission of the Oregon Judicial Department and the service that the Oregon Judicial Branch provides to the public. Liz has served on a variety of judicial branch leadership committees including as Chair of the Chief Justice Communications Committee, member of the Chief Justice Strategic Planning Committee, Law and Policy Workgroup, Internal Audit Committee, the Oregon eCourt Steering Committee. For the last five years, Liz has worked closely with Lane County leadership toward building a new Lane County Courthouse and will continue to bring her years of experience to that ongoing project through design and construction. Liz graduated with high scholarship from Oregon State University with a BA in history and has an MBA from Portland State University. She is a long-time member of the National Association of Court Management and holds a Court Manager certification from the National Center for State Courts. Liz is the recipient of the 2023 Warren E. Burger award for excellence in court administration.