This article originally appeared in The Bar Examiner print edition, Summer 2026 (Vol. 95, No. 2), pp. 3–4. By Judith A. Gundersen
A Busy Time Before the NextGen UBE Launch
As I write this column, we are wrapping up a week that included three webinars and discussions with more than 150 jurisdiction representatives from across the country. Weeks like this have become the norm as we prepare to launch the NextGen UBE. We are excited and confident about this inaugural administration; we continue to work seven days a week on systems and workflows to ensure success for jurisdictions and examinees. As this issue goes to the printer, the launch is imminent. We’ll have plenty of follow-up in the fall issue of The Bar Examiner and beyond.
I’ve been reflecting on the many NextGen meetings and webinars our staff has recently held with justices, admissions staff, and bar examiners. These sessions—including one for administrators in July 2026 launch jurisdictions, one exclusively for justices (who represented 26 jurisdictions), and another with jurisdiction staff, bar examiners, and justices from across the country—share a common goal: to ensure clear, consistent communication as the NextGen UBE debuts this summer in 10 jurisdictions.
Many people contribute to making these meetings successful. Of course, the NextGen team leads them, prepares the presentations, and fields questions. But behind the scenes is an extraordinary support group. This includes our meetings team, ably staffed by three longtime NCBE colleagues: Katie Adrians, Lindsey DesRochers, and Kate Becker. Their efforts build on the work and legacy of Laurie Lutz, who retired as Director of Meetings and Events in February after over 25 years with NCBE.
This team works tirelessly to coordinate, manage, and support the logistics and technology that enables these meetings—and, by extension, the Conference’s mission—to succeed. Over the course of a year, this small-but-mighty group manages every aspect of approximately 400 meetings, both virtual and in person, internal and external, ensuring that all facets of our work can move forward.
These meetings include exam question drafting, editing, and reviewing sessions with outside content experts. More than 136 drafters and reviewers participate in this important work. In addition, we have 18 policy committees that meet throughout the year. The Council of Bar Admission Administrators also relies on our meetings team to manage its November conference and our joint August meeting.
In short, this team coordinates meetings involving thousands of admissions professionals, volunteers, faculty members, judges, and NCBE staff every year. Thank you, Katie, Lindsey, and Kate, for all that you do.
Speaking of meetings, we recently concluded our Annual Bar Admissions Conference in Philadelphia in May. It was an outstanding gathering held in a storied city during this historic year of celebrating our nation’s founding. You can read more about ABAC by clicking here. My thanks to Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Kevin Brobson for welcoming representatives from 55 US jurisdictions to the Commonwealth.
The summer edition of this column also marks transitions in NCBE Board of Trustees membership and leadership. This year, we welcome a new chair: Augustin Rivera, Jr., of Corpus Christi, Texas. Augie, who chairs the Texas Board of Law Examiners, will officially take the helm shortly after the NextGen UBE launch. I have had the privilege of working with Augie for many years, both on the board and through NCBE policy committees, and I look forward to his leadership of the Board of Trustees. With the start of Augie’s term as chair, Lisa Perlen of Tennessee joins our Executive Committee alongside Chief Justice Ann Timmer of Arizona.
Augie replaces Darin Sheer of Wyoming, who has led our board for the past two years. I am deeply indebted to Darin. His term as chair has seen extraordinary changes and an immense workload for both staff and his fellow board members as we prepare for the NextGen debut. Darin has led with vision, steadiness, and dedication throughout this transformative time.
We also say goodbye—and thank you—to John McAlary, the recently retired Executive Director of the New York Board of Law Examiners. John has served on our board since 2016. We are grateful for his wisdom and for the valuable administrator’s perspective he brought to our governance work.
A sincere thank you to Emily Corson, Bar Admission Administrator in Minnesota, who very ably chaired the Council of Bar Admission Administrators over the past year. Emily was an active participant in our board meetings and a strong, empathetic, and proactive leader, who worked closely with our board and the CBAA membership and Executive Committee to ensure alignment and communication. Thank you, Emily.
And welcome to Dan Saar, Director of Admissions in Iowa, as incoming CBAA chair. We look forward to working with you, Dan.
I will close with a heartfelt tribute to our beloved colleague, Anthony Simon, who passed away suddenly on April 23, two days before his 63rd birthday. Anthony, of Mississippi, served as a member of the NCBE Board of Trustees and was a long-standing member of the Mississippi Board of Bar Examiners. He was a dear friend, trusted colleague, champion for justice, and deeply kind and generous person. Anthony could light up a room with his smile and wit. A successful litigator, he took on formidable opponents and often prevailed.
Our lives will not be the same without him. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Pam; to his colleagues on the Mississippi Board of Bar Examiners; and especially to his longtime legal partner, Pieter Teeuwissen. We’ve adapted Darin’s remembrance of Anthony at ABAC, which is available here.
Rest in peace, Anthony.
Until the next issue,
Judith A. Gundersen
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