“Game Changing”: Washington State Court Administrator Earns National Leadership Award

"Game Changing": Washington State Court Administrator Earns National Leadership Award

For leadership described as "innovative and game changing" by Washington Supreme Court justices, Washington State Court Administrator Dawn Marie Rubio has been presented with the 2026 Mary C. McQueen Award for Excellence & Leadership in Justice System Improvement.

The national award is the highest honor in court administration, named after longtime Washington State Court Administrator Mary McQueen who went on to lead the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) for many years. It is presented jointly by the national Conference of Chief Justices (CCJ), the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA), the National Association for Presiding Judges and Court Executive Officers (NAPCO), and the National Association for Court Management (NACM).

Rubio was nominated for the award by Chief Justice Debra Stephens and retired Justice Barbara Madsen, who pointed out the significant challenge of supporting operations and collaboration among hundreds of courts in Washington's non-unified judicial system.

"Dawn Marie has excelled at engaging all levels of court in building and supporting a governance structure that encourages great innovation and a deep commitment to consensus building," the justices wrote in their nomination letter. "Her work in Washington has been innovative and game changing. She understands that, by working collaboratively with all justice partners, and grounding our work in accurate data and evidence-based practices, courts can truly save lives and change futures for the better."

Rubio said the award is a reflection of the dedication and innovation found in Washington's courts and judicial branch. "I am humbled and honored by the nomination and the award," she said. "This award is shared with all of us here in Washington for the good work we are doing."

Rubio leads the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), established by state lawmakers in 1957 to provide professional and technical support to more than 250 courts throughout Washington. The judicial branch agency implements the policies and decisions of the Washington Supreme Court and judicial branch leaders, as well as legislative mandates. AOC provides such statewide services as maintaining modern judicial information systems, research, data gathering, caseload tracking, legal services, judicial education, budget and contract preparation, support for statewide judicial associations and committees, public information and more.

Rubio was appointed to the position by the state Supreme Court in January 2019. She had previously worked in judicial branch leadership positions in Utah, Illinois and Florida, as well as with the National Center for State Courts.

In their nominating letter, the justices listed many innovative new programs launched at AOC under Rubio's oversight to better serve Washington courts and communities, such as:

• The Equity & Access program, to provide new support for self-represented persons;
• The Office of Family and Youth Justice Programs;
• The Blake Refund Bureau, first such program of its kind in the nation;
• Expansion of the Washington State Center for Court Research, including a new Data for Justice Program;
• The Office of Behavioral Health, to focus on enhancing the courts' response to behavioral health issues, including expanded therapeutic court support;
• New Water Rights Adjudication office;
• Trial Court Legal Services office, to support courts with fewer resources.

In addition, Rubio is a strong advocate of mental health support for judicial officers, court staff and AOC workers.

"Dawn Marie and her staff at the AOC are the heart and soul of Washington's courts, and she recognizes the toll that working in the legal system can take on staff as well as on the judicial officers and court staff who serve the public," the justices wrote. "She speaks regularly about judicial and staff wellness, the importance of ongoing recognition of good work, and supporting each other to help alleviate the stress of a difficult job that is also in the public eye."

Rubio's nomination was supported in letters from court leaders in four other states and from other longtime AOC leaders.

"The Mary C. McQueen Award recognizes individuals whose careers have advanced the administration of justice in meaningful and enduring ways," AOC leaders wrote. "Dawn Marie Rubio is exceptionally deserving of that recognition."