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Chief Justice Boomgaarden briefs Bar on judicial vacancies, evaluation plan and budget pressure
Summary
Chief Justice Lynne J. Boomgaarden told the Wyoming State Bar Board that the Judicial Nominating Commission survey has a 14% response rate, outlined several upcoming judicial vacancies and retirements, and described plans for a WJC committee on evaluations and a request to raise the $40 JSA filing fee by $20 to address courtroom technology costs.
Chief Justice Lynne J. Boomgaarden and Elisa M. Butler joined the Wyoming State Bar Board on Nov. 7 in Cheyenne to brief members on judicial selection, evaluations and budgetary pressures facing the judicial branch.
Boomgaarden thanked the Bar for distributing the Judicial Nominating Commission’s survey and said the response rate stood at "14% so far." She outlined several upcoming judicial vacancies — including a Third Judicial District Circuit Court opening and expected retirements that will create additional turnover — and said the Court is returning to a poll-style Judicial Performance Assessment in 2026. The Chief Justice said the Court requested that the Bar provide three members to help develop a plan; President Silva directed Executive Director Wilkinson to provide the names of Alison Gee, Jennifer Kirk and Devon O’Connell.
On oversight and process, Boomgaarden said the branch’s executive team plans to recommend that the Wyoming Judicial Council create a standing committee charged with evaluating judicial performance; she said the Court had discussed engaging an expert from the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS) to advise the Council.
Budget pressure: Boomgaarden told the board that some lawmakers have talked about returning certain budgets to pre-pandemic levels, which could translate to cuts of up to 30% for the judicial branch. To cover aging audio/visual equipment and courtroom software, the branch has proposed a $20 increase to the $40 Justice Assistance (JSA) filing fee and will present that request to the Joint Appropriations Committee.
Why it matters: The Court’s staffing, evaluation tools and budget priorities affect the administration of justice in Wyoming. Boomgaarden emphasized the need to balance transparency in judicial selection with the risk that too much publicization could deter applicants, and she urged local bench/bar engagement to build trust.
What’s next: The Board agreed to provide members for the evaluation planning group and to encourage local bar engagement; the Court will pursue a WJC committee recommendation and take the JSA fee request to the legislature.
