Dear NCABL Members,

   I am pleased to share that I recently had the honor of representing the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers (NCABL) at the 2026 Judicial Conference of the Dominican Republic, hosted in collaboration with the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) in Santo Domingo.

This conference was not simply a convening, but a major international forum centered on advancing what the Dominican Republic has identified as its “Justice of the Future” initiative a comprehensive effort to modernize the judiciary, strengthen institutional accountability, and accelerate transformation across court systems.

Held from April 9 through April 11, 2026, the conference brought together thousands of participants, including judicial leaders, legal scholars, and court administrators from across the United States, Canada, and throughout Latin America. The convening served as a platform to evaluate reforms, exchange best practices, and address the shared challenges facing judicial systems globally.

The opening session reflected the significance of the event, with participation from the Honorable Henry Molina, President of the Supreme Court of the Dominican Republic and Beth Clement, President of NCSC.

I was honored to serve as a panelist on two critical sessions.

The Plea Agreements Panel, where I joined:

-JoAnne Richardson, Managing Director, NCSC International Programs Group
-Honorable Judge Carmen Otero Ferreiras, Administrative Judge, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
-Honorable United States District Court Judge Juan R. Sánchez for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Member of the United States Judicial Conference Committee on International Judicial Relations
-Honorable Fran Soto, Justice of the Second Chamber of the Supreme Court of the Dominican Republic

The Restorative Justice and Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel, where I joined:

-Magistrate Keila Gonzalez, Member of the Judicial Council of the Dominican Republic
-Alicia Davis, Principal Court Management Consultant, NCSC
-The Honorable Judge Manuel Mendez, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, First Judicial Department, New York
-John Bello, Managing Director of Court Consulting Services, NCSC

These discussions focused on advancing fairness, improving efficiency, expanding access to justice, and strengthening public trust in judicial systems through both traditional and innovative approaches.

This experience is significant to NCABL for several reasons.

It reinforces NCABL’s presence in national and international conversations about the future of the legal profession and the administration of justice. Our participation ensures that perspectives grounded in equity, fairness, and community impact are represented at the highest levels.

The issues addressed at this conference, including restorative justice, plea practices, judicial transparency, and the integration of technology directly mirror the challenges and opportunities we face here in North Carolina. The exchange of ideas strengthens our ability to advocate for meaningful reforms in our own communities.

The conference also demonstrated that courts across Latin America and the United States are navigating similar pressures related to efficiency, public trust, and modernization. Engagement at this level is essential to developing effective and sustainable solutions.

Finally, this opportunity reflects the continued growth and influence of NCABL. Representation on this stage is the result of a collective commitment to leadership, service, and advancing justice.

I have included photos from the conference so that you can see firsthand the scope of this convening and the important work being done.

I look forward to bringing these insights back to our organization and continuing to expand NCABL’s impact.

Sincerely,
Kimberly A. Moore
President
North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers