“For most of the last 10 years, Lori worked with Justice Larry Martin until her current assignment in the Note of Issue Final Conference Part,” Justice Knipel said. “This newly created part is the crown jewel of our continuing effort to timely ready cases for trial. Lori runs the part effectively, conscientiously and with great dedication.”

The ceremony was brief with Knipel, Justice Bernard Graham, Chief Clerk Charles Small and Justice Larry Martin each speaking briefly about Juarbe-Casiano’s tenure in the courthouse.

Small explained that the process in selecting Juarbe-Casiano was not easy, but ultimately she was chosen partially because she is often the go-to person to train new employees.

“It really speaks to the kind of person that Lori is, she’s a good worker and a good person,” Small said. “She’s the type of person that when we have new employees we always put them with Lori to train. When we set up a new part, the Note of Issue Final Conference Part, Lori was hand-picked to run it. Judge Martin may never forgive me for taking away his super clerk.”

“You’re right,” Martin jokingly said in response to Small.

Martin eventually presented Juarbe-Casiano with a plaque and unveiled her Employee of the Year photo which will hang in the courthouse walls, but not before talking about their 10 years together working in Part 41.

“One judge, whom I respect, sat down with me and … she said that … our part, Part 41, is run like a fine-tuned engine,” Martin recalled. “That was not a compliment owed to me. That was earned by my staff through the years. Lori, in fact, is the chief mechanic of that engine. By the time I get to the part, all I have to do is put the key in and drive away. I relied on Lori for over 10 years.”

Juarbe-Casiano remarked how she disliked being the center of attention and appropriately kept her speech short. She thanked her family, who was in attendance, and mostly talked about what a great team she had in Part 41 working with Justice Martin, Inga O’Neale, Tatiana Benjamin and Senior Court Officer Jim Tobin.

“There are no words to express how much my time there has meant to me and now that I’m in another part I want you all to know that I miss you dearly and that you are still a part of me. Thank you very much,” Juarbe-Casiano said. “It does feel good to be noticed and acknowledged for working hard, but the truth is that nobody in this building does their job alone. We all have a role to play and together we make this work.”

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