Clerks’ President Timmann outlines shared goals, need for adequate funding
Carolyn Timmann
From supporting the courts to serving the public, the Bar and Florida’s 67 clerks have many similar interests, Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers President Carolyn Timmann told the Board of Governors January 27 in Tallahassee.
“When you think about it, we sort of get locked into our own roles, but we really do have the same shared goals,” said Timmann, noting both groups care deeply about resolving cases in a timely and fair manner and advocate for proper court funding.
“We want the judiciary to be appropriately funded,” Timmann said. “At the same time, we recognize that as [the courts] receive more funding if we don’t receive funding as well as clerks, we can’t support them.”
Outside of funding limitations, Timmann talked about two issues that strain clerk resources: the needs of self-represented litigants and the staff time needed to provide ample access to data.
“We care very deeply about self-represented litigants,” she said. “We want to help them, but they drain our resources.”
Timmann suggested clerks be involved “on the front end” when the Bar undertakes efforts to better assist self-represented litigants access justice.
“We clerks are the ones that talk to these individuals,” she said. “We know what they need and one thing they need is plain language.”
Regarding access to data, Timmann noted the major policy projects that have been ordered by the Legislature and the judiciary, but said no money has been appropriated to fund those big, labor-intensive projects.
“These funding issues affect you as well. I don’t have staff working in the background to help you. If I don’t have staff to send in the courtroom or access to records and data, that hurts you and it hurts your clients,” Timmann said.
Timmann said the clerks also have concerns about the number of local administrative orders that come through their offices. Sometimes, she said, those orders put additional financial burdens on clerks as they create a lot of differences in the way the clerks handle documents.
Timmann also addressed the growing challenge of getting transcripts from court reporters.
“That is an ongoing concern, and, in some jurisdictions, they are still using court reporters in the courtroom to provide those instead of electronic recording devices,” Timmann said.
Timmann would like to see the number of courts using electronic recording devices increase.
Noting the Bar’s Annual Pro Bono Awards, Timmann said many clerks provide resources for legal aid organizations that are not being taken advantage of.
“We would love to see the level of pro bono work increase,” Timmann said. “I know in my office I have space for legal aid. It hasn’t been filled in three years and a number of clerks have the same thing. They offer space and staff time. Once COVID hit that kind of broke down, but we want it to come back.”
Timmann said The Florida Bar is the clerk’s most important partner and collaborate when it comes to education and communication.
“We have done such a great job partnering with The Florida Bar. Our communications teams get together regularly to come up with all sorts of educational materials,” Timmann said.
Timmann said the clerk’s communications team is currently working with the Bar to provide additional education opportunities for lawyers on clerk rules.
Timmann’s remarks to the Board of Governors came on the heels of a full lobbying week in Tallahassee where she met with legislators regarding funding for the clerks.
“The clerks have a very big [legislative] package this year to try to do all the things I mentioned to you as our partners. If we can’t help the judiciary in the courtroom, if we can’t help the attorneys processing cases, that hurts your business, and it hurts our communities,” Timmann said.
