McGiverin would join five other judges on a Board of Directors with 11 members total. This board supervises the work of the State Justice Institute. Board members serve for three years without compensation. They meet quarterly. The next meeting is in Lexington, Kentucky, on August 1st.
Committee members today gave unanimous support to McGiverin's nomination. "Chief Justice McGiverin's experience and knowledge made him an outstanding candidate for this important position. He will bring to the Board a practical approach and expertise gained from many years of work with the State courts," said Grassley, who serves on the Judiciary Committee and urged President Clinton to nominate McGiverin last September. McGiverin was recommended for the position by the Conference of Chief Justices in July.
McGiverin, 69, has served on the Iowa Supreme Court since 1978. He became Chief Justice in 1987. He also has served as a judge in Iowa District Court and as an alternate municipal judge. He resides in Ottumwa.
The State Justice Institute was established to award grants to improve judicial administration in State courts across the country. It was created by the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 as a private, non-profit corporation.
The 11-member Board of Directors is appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Board is statutorily composed of six judges, a State court administrator, and four members of the public, of whom no more than two can be of the same political party. The State Justice Institute is authorized to provide funds ? through grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts ? to State courts and organizations. The Institute's goals are to:
On the Board, McGiverin would replace Alabama Supreme Court Justice Janie L. Shores Murray.