A Court Master is not a judge. He or she is appointed by the Administrative Judge in each administrative region. He or she hears evidence and makes recommendations for approval by the district judge. A Master's recommendations, except for incarceration, are orders (not judgments) until a district judge approves them.
The Masters differ in how they utilize their administrative assistants. My initial task was to go into every county we served, which at that time was 14 counties, and collect information on each of the Attorney General's cases and compile the information into a database. The database system we used was very similar to the systems used by court coordinators. By doing the research, I was able to locate cases dating back as far as 1977 that had fallen into the cracks of the system. We set up large dismissal dockets to clear out the courts' old files. We are now able to maintain a reasonable case load by setting dismissal dockets once a year.
My duties now include researching every case set on our docket. It is my job to make certain that all parties have been properly served and notified of court settings. I also review and index all cases set before the Master and bring any problems or questions to the Master's attention. I also serve as court clerk, maintaining court files, swearing in witnesses, and transcribing records when requested.
Finally, I prepare a monthly Caseflow Report which is submitted to the Administrative Judge of our region. My monthly report generally covers 700 to 1,000 cases and includes all cases pending and resolved during each month.
Just as the state district courts have certain requirements for the prompt disposition of cases, we are required to meet even more stringent federal deadlines. The majority of our cases are disposed of within 90 days. Certain types of cases (e.g. paternity suits) may take longer, but they may not be carried on the docket for more than one year. My monthly report must explain any failure to meet the required deadlines.
In addition to my other duties, I must act as a sentry for the Master to prevent any attempts at ex parte communication. It is amazing how many people do not understand the impropriety of communicating with the Master outside the courtroom without all parties present.
Since we handle cases in multiple counties, we are on the road every day, in a different county. That keeps us busy but also makes it more interesting. Mostly, my job is the same as any legal assistant's-taking care of my boss and eliminating the unnecessary distractions that prevent her from doing her job.
Working in the courtroom is exciting, interesting, and educational. Prior to coming to my present position I worked in a law firm for 12 years. I have now worked on the other side of the bench for almost 6 years. Viewing the system from the court's point of view enables me to be more objective. It is especially interesting to observe the different styles of advocacy used by attorneys and to see what works and what doesn't.