Further motivation for work in the social justice field is evident in the article carried by the The Examiner, Bahai gathering to talk peace in S.F. Conference, to address world harmony as next step in planet’s evolution: “The process starts with the belief that mankind’s nature is good, not evil, and that nations are capable of living peacefully.” Bill Davis on world harmony.
Implementation of the Court Reform in Kentucky: “Court reform has been the largest change in Kentucky’s governmental history.”
Constructing Justice in Fragile Territory: Reflections of Buiiding the Rule of Law in the West Bank/Gaza: “Perhaps the greatest challenge in a fragile state program is building trust where patterns of conflict have eroded its foundations.”
Building Social Capital Through Informal Dispute Resolution Centers: “Even a cursory glimpse at democracies throughout the world illustrates this relationship between a well-functioning democracy and social capital.”
Finally, writing in 20 Years in the Making: Principles and Practical Strategies for Justice Sector Reform, Bill sums up a purposeful career by saying “We must continue to focus on support for institutional change while always setting aside resources fro building sustainable national, regional and international resources to facilitate direct sharing of experience and successful approaches among justice systems and the publics they serve.” —Bill Davis
Foundation Explores Violence in Modern World
Esperanza Foundation's Third Annual Symposium, June 2016
Esperanza Foundation presented a public seminar on "Violence in the Modern World" at Whitehawk Ranch Community Center near Clio. Speakers included James Michel, retired U.S. Ambassador, Dr. Robert Henderson, Tarkenton Consultancy, and William E. Davis.
2016
Continued. Download full document
Reflections on Improving Justice Systems
Tetra Tech DPK Celebration of Its 20th Year
Bill’s career reflects his commitment to the principle that a fair and efficient justice system is an essential aspect of a stable, just, and prosperous society – one in which people enjoy the benefits of freedom, security, and rising standards of living. Over the years, Bill has demonstrated a special ability to help justice system operators and stakeholders in the United States and abroad to improve the policy environment and the operational capacity for a reliable administration of justice that will fairly and efficiently resolve disputes, protect rights, and hold governments accountable to their citizens.
2014
Continued. Download full document
20 Years in the Making
Principles and Practical Strategies for Justice Sector Reform
There is by now a wealth of literature that synthesizes rule of law development experience in different contexts and the evolution of rule of law theory and interventions. Longstanding and emerging rule of law and justice sector indices map progress on a range of generally accepted foundations for governance by the rule of law. A host of donor-funded publications—from strategic frameworks to detailed handbooks on specific areas of intervention—offer recommendations rooted in international standards and individual nations’ foreign policy imperatives. A handful of thoughtful books2 have generated rich discourse within the rule of law and justice sector development communities. Nevertheless, there is little written about rule of law reform from the practitioner’s point of view. With pressure on budgets at every level, our in-country team leaders, talented local staffs, and foreign government and civil society counterparts have few opportunities to share experiences in safe environments where they can learn from successes and failures or even just admit to not knowing what to do next.
This publication is designed to fill the gap. Through it, I hope to spark conversation about “what works” on the ground at a practical level.
2014
Continued. Download full document
El Poder de la integridad
"El Poder de la integridad"
Desarrollo a través de valores
El Representante del Poder Judicial de la República Dominicana se pregunta ¿por qué no se han hecho más progresos en la reforma del sistema de justicia? y ¿por qué más personas no están tan comprometidas con el cambio como lo está él?
2010
Continuar. Bajar Los documentos
Implementing ADR Programs in Developing Justice Sectors
Published: Dispute Resolution Magazine
The problems facing justice systems in the developing world are day daunting—case backlogs are in the order of years or even decades on the dockets; formal court infrastructure are incompatible with transient, scattered, or rural populations; and illiteracy and extreme poverty are the norm, while access to basic services is the exception. In these environments, the use of ADR brings justice directly to the less-advantaged by providing them with the opportunity to voice their problems and demands and empowering them to find their own solutions. Through the correct implementation of well-designed ADR programs, improved efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system can be achieved.
2010
Continued. Download full document
Rule of Law Venture Buoys Pair’s Global Adventures
Published: San Francisco Daily Journal
Bob Page rode into San Francisco on a motorcycle he bought in Panama. Bill Davis, leaving behind a small town in New Mexico, arrived in the family car. The two men first crossed paths as Peace Corps volunteer in South America in the late 1960s.
2008
Continued. Download full document
Conflicto minero: ¿inevitable?
Publicado: Punto de equilibrio
El importante aporte del sector minero al crecimiento económico del país está fuera de duda. Sin embargo, hay que tener presente que esta situación es en gran medida consecuencia de los precios internacionales, que hasta el momento han sido favorables, Además, no se debe olvídar que las industrias extractivas carecen de sostenibilidad y con mayor razón en el caso de la minería, ya que se trata de recursos no renovables.
2007
Continuar. Bajar Los documentos
La implementación de programas de RAC en sectores de justicia en desarrollo
Estudios de caso y lecciones aprendidas
La fuerte red de preogramas y actividades de resolución alternativa de conflictos (RAC) en Estados Unidos—que va desde el trabajo de agencias de base al Grupo de Trabajo de Resolución Alternativa de Conflictos Inter-Agencia al nivel federal- tiene un enorme impacto sobre la expansión del acceso a la justicia, la reducción de la carga de las Cortes, la introducción de más flexibilidad y creatividad en el proceso de la resolución de conflictos y la apertura de vías para resoluciones conciliatorias.
2005
Continuar. Bajar Los documentos
Lessons Learned from Palestinian Law Professor about Transfer of Learning
Published: Journal of Legal Education, AALS
The Rule of Law project for the West Bank and Gaza was an outgrowth of the Oslo Peace Accords. The Accords identified the need to strengthen the rule of law, a critical element in the peace process…The Rule of Law project has seven goals, two of which focused directly on legal education: to improve legal education by working with the four Palestinian law schools to provide a more capable faculty and to improve and broaden legal education and training.
2005
Continued. Download full document
Who’s Who
An Oral History: William E. Davis
Published: Western Legal History
William E. “Bill” Davis served as circuit executive for the Ninth Circuit from 1981 to 1986. He brought a wealth of experience to the position, including work as staff attorney for the Administrative Office of the Courts in California, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts for Kentucky, and personnel officer of the Bahai’i World Center in Haifa, Israel.
2002
Continued. Download full document
Expert Helps Palestine Erect Legal Structure
Published: Los Angeles Daily Journal
Bill Davis, who once led the state Administrative Office of the Courts, is taking his expertise on courts to Palestine, where he and his San Francisco-based consulting firm will help develop that nation's civil justice system from centuries of diverse and interwoven legal traditions.
2000
Continued. Download full document
Diseño de sistemas para resolver conflictos: la experiencia con multipuertas en estados unidos
Publicado: Mediación: una transformación en la cultura
Tradicionalmente, cuando se trata de definir o desarrollar sistemas de resolución de conflictos dentro de organizaciones o instituciones, se empieza con el énfasis en el procedimiento, las reglas, la estructura; esto es, la infraestructura para resolver los conflictos.
1996
Continuar. Bajar Los documentos
Administración del proceso de introducción de reformas en los tribunales
Publicado: Reformas procesales
Las polémicas de independencia judicial, los proyectos de leyes, los procedimientos legales y la política son los conceptos que reflejan la estructura en que funcionan los sistemas legales. Esta estructura está moldeada por los valores culturales que han tomado forma en la legislación y las instituciones que han sido creadas para administrar estas legislaciones.
1993
Continuar. Bajar Los documentos
Gridlock!
Published: The Judges Journal
A primary cause of delay in California courts has been accommodation. By 1986 many of California’s courts had come to accept delay as inevitable. The common assumption was that nothing could be done to change this condition short of adding several hundred judges. Judges and lawyers accepted the idea that control of the pace of litigation was the responsibility of the litigators. The system was so inflexible that the prescribed method of calendaring for all courts with 19 or more judges was a master calendar. Educational programs for judges did not include the managerial aspects of courts controlling their own affairs.
1991
Continued. Download full document
Baha'i gathering to talk peace in S.F.
Published: The Examiner
It's one thing to suggest that world peace is possible, but quite anther to say it is inevitable.
That's the message members of the Baha'i Faith are sharing with representatives of a peace group as they meet this weeekend in San Francisco.
1986
Continued. Download full document
Language and the Justice System: Problems and Issues
Published: Justice System Journal
This article focuses on how the justice system treats people with different languages. The relationship of language to culture and the interrelationship of the two will be explored. An attempt will be made to answer questions such as: What are the issues that face professionals in the justice system in this area? What are the risks of not adequately addressing these issues? Who must take the leadership role in the area?
1985
Continued. Download full document
Implementation of Court Reform in Kentucky
Published: Court Reform
Court reform has been the largest change in Kentucky’s governmental history. The abolition of all lay judges and the introduction of state funding of all court operations have been accomplished in three years. Thus, much as been done in a short time, yet much remains to be done. This written report can summarize the efforts, but in no way can it truly reflect the dedication and hard work of many hundreds of people.
1980
Continued. Download full document
Creating Commercial Dispute Resolution Centers in Palestinian Territories
Creating Commercial Dispute Resolution Centers in Palestinian Territories
This article aims to describe the process by which the first commercial center was formed in Palestine. It is hoped that through these descriptions one might glean a general picture of how such centers are formed, the increasing reach and universality of arbitration and mediation as providing a common language of resolution, and the contribution that such centers make to local property and development.
Continued. Download full document
Constructing Justice in a Fragile Territory: Reflections on Building the Rule of Law in the West Bank/Gaza
Reflections on Building the Rule of Law in the West Bank/Gaza
In the following pages, we describe DPK’s experience under the auspices of USAID in the West Bank/Gaza region, supporting the development of the Palestinian legal system. We will focus in particular on the lessons that pertain to operating a legal development program in the context of a fragile territory.
Continued. Download full document
Access to Justice: Lessons from the Field
Access to Justice: Lessons from the Field
Rule of law and access to justice are important elements for the stability and development of transitional states. Governments gain significant legitimacy, both domestically and internationally, when rights are respected and promulgated.
This paper discusses access to justice. The first part will elaborate on the significance of access to justice. Second, this paper will identify access to justice, both theoretically and in practice. Finally, the study will examine lessons learned from access to justice projects throughout the developing world.
Continued. Download full document
Building Social Capital Through Informal Dispute Resolution Centers
Building Social Capital Through Informal Dispute Resolution Centers
Current efforts to build social-capital tend to neglect the critical need and prerequisite of building a common value system based upon the ethic of human-oneness. This paper argues that (1) if donor agencies wish to promote social capital, they should make this ethic integral to their programs; and (2) the creation of informal dispute resolution center (IDRC) within civil societies is an appropriate and highly promising strategy. “The moral of the story is that if we do not pay attention to social capital, we will destroy it, all the while patting ourselves patting themselves on the back for helping people out.”
Continued. Download full document
List of Publications
Links provided are large, print-ready Adobe Acrobat files; not recommended for mobile downloading.
1. Reflections on Improving Justice Systems
Tetra Tech DPK Celebration of Its 20th Year
2014
Bill’s career reflects his commitment to the principle that a fair and efficient justice system is an essential aspect of a stable, just, and prosperous society – one in which people enjoy the benefits of freedom, security, and rising standards of living. Over the years, Bill has demonstrated a special ability to help justice system operators and stakeholders in the United States and abroad to improve the policy environment and the operational capacity for a reliable administration of justice that will fairly and efficiently resolve disputes, protect rights, and hold governments accountable to their citizens.
Download PDF
2. 20 Years in the Making
Principles and Practical Strategies for Justice Sector Reform
2014
There is by now a wealth of literature that synthesizes rule of law development experience in different contexts and the evolution of rule of law theory and interventions. Longstanding and emerging rule of law and justice sector indices map progress on a range of generally accepted foundations for governance by the rule of law. A host of donor-funded publications—from strategic frameworks to detailed handbooks on specific areas of intervention—offer recommendations rooted in international standards and individual nations’ foreign policy imperatives. A handful of thoughtful books2 have generated rich discourse within the rule of law and justice sector development communities. Nevertheless, there is little written about rule of law reform from the practitioner’s point of view. With pressure on budgets at every level, our in-country team leaders, talented local staffs, and foreign government and civil society counterparts have few opportunities to share experiences in safe environments where they can learn from successes and failures or even just admit to not knowing what to do next.
This publication is designed to fill the gap. Through it, I hope to spark conversation about “what works” on the ground at a practical level.
Download PDF
3. El Poder de la integridad
Desarrollo a través de valores
2010
El Representante del Poder Judicial de la República Dominicana se pregunta ¿por qué no se han hecho más progresos en la reforma del sistema de justicia? y ¿por qué más personas no están tan comprometidas con el cambio como lo está él?
Bajar Los documentos
4. Implementing ADR Programs in Developing Justice Sectors
Published: Dispute Resolution Magazine
2010
The problems facing justice systems in the developing world are day daunting—case backlogs are in the order of years or even decades on the dockets; formal court infrastructure are incompatible with transient, scattered, or rural populations; and illiteracy and extreme poverty are the norm, while access to basic services is the exception. In these environments, the use of ADR brings justice directly to the less-advantaged by providing them with the opportunity to voice their problems and demands and empowering them to find their own solutions. Through the correct implementation of well-designed ADR programs, improved efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system can be achieved.
Download PDF
5. Rule of Law Venture Buoys Pair’s Global Adventures
Published: San Francisco Daily Journal
2008
Bob Page rode into San Francisco on a motorcycle be bought in Panama. Bill Davis, leaving behind a small town in New Mexico, arrived in the family car. The two men first crossed paths as Peace Corps volunteer in South America in the late 1960s.
Download PDF
6. Conflicto minero: ¿inevitable?
Publicado: Punto de equilibrio
2007
El importante aporte del sector minero al crecimiento económico del país está fuera de duda. Sin embargo, hay que tener presente que esta situación es en gran medida consecuencia de los precios internacionales, que hasta el momento han sido favorables, Además, no se debe olvídar que las industrias extractivas carecen de sostenibilidad y con mayor razón en el caso de la minería, ya que se trata de recursos no renovables.
Bajar Los documentos
7. La implementación de programas de RAC en sectores de justicia en desarrollo
Estudios de caso y lecciones aprendidas<
2005
La fuerte red de preogramas y actividades de resolución alternativa de conflictos (RAC) en Estados Unidos—que va desde el trabajo de agencias de base al Grupo de Trabajo de Resolución Alternativa de Conflictos Inter-Agencia al nivel federal- tiene un enorme impacto sobre la expansión del acceso a la justicia, la reducción de la carga de las Cortes, la introducción de más flexibilidad y creatividad en el proceso de la resolución de conflictos y la apertura de vías para resoluciones conciliatorias.
Bajar Los documentos
8. Lessons Learned from Palestinian Law Professor about Transfer of Learning
Published: Journal of Legal Education, AALS
200
The Rule of Law project for the West Bank and Gaza was an outgrowth of the Oslo Peace Accords. The Accords identified the need to strengthen the rule of law, a critical element in the peace process…The Rule of Law project has seven goals, two of which focused directly on legal education: to improve legal education by working with the four Palestinian law schools to provide a more capable faculty and to improve and broaden legal education and training.
Download PDF
9. Who’s Who
1990, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2002
10. An Oral History: William E. Davis
Published: Western Legal History
2002
William E. “Bill” Davis served as circuit executive for the Ninth Circuit from 1981 to 1986. He brought a wealth of experience to the position, including work as staff attorney for the Administrative Office of the Courts in California, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts for Kentucky, and personnel officer of the Bahai’i World Center in Haifa, Israel.
Download PDF
11. Expert Helps Palestine Erect Legal Structure
Published: Los Angeles Daily Journal
2000
Bill Davis, who once led the state Administrative Office of the Courts, is taking his expertise on courts to Palestine, where he and his San Francisco-based consulting firm will help develop that nation's civil justice system from centuries of diverse and interwoven legal traditions.
Download PDF
12. Diseño de sistemas para resolver conflictos: la experiencia con multipuertas en estados unidos
Publicado: Mediación: una transformación en la cultura
1996
Tradicionalmente, cuando se trata de definir o desarrollar sistemas de resolución de conflictos dentro de organizaciones o instituciones, se empieza con el énfasis en el procedimiento, las reglas, la estructura; esto es, la infraestructura para resolver los conflictos.
Bajar Los documentos
13. Administración del proceso de introducción de reformas en los tribunales
Publicado: Reformas procesales
1993
Las polémicas de independencia judicial, los proyectos de leyes, los procedimientos legales y la política son los conceptos que reflejan la estructura en que funcionan los sistemas legales. Esta estructura está moldeada por los valores culturales que han tomado forma en la legislación y las instituciones que han sido creadas para administrar estas legislaciones.
Bajar Los documentos
14. Gridlock!
Published: The Judges Journal
1991
A primary cause of delay in California courts has been accommodation. By 1986 many of California’s courts had come to accept delay as inevitable. The common assumption was that nothing could be done to change this condition short of adding several hundred judges. Judges and lawyers accepted the idea that control of the pace of litigation was the responsibility of the litigators. The system was so inflexible that the prescribed method of calendaring for all courts with 19 or more judges was a master calendar. Educational programs for judges did not include the managerial aspects of courts controlling their own affairs.
Download PDF
15. Baha'i gathering to talk peace in S.F.
Published: The Examiner
1986
It's one thing to suggest that world peace is possible, but quite anther to say it is inevitable.
That's the message members of the Baha'i Faith are sharing with representatives of a peace group as they meet this weeekend in San Francisco.
Download PDF
16. Language and the Justice System: Problems and Issues
Published: Justice System Journal
1985
This article focuses on how the justice system treats people with different languages. The relationship of language to culture and the interrelationship of the two will be explored. An attempt will be made to answer questions such as: What are the issues that face professionals in the justice system in this area? What are the risks of not adequately addressing these issues? Who must take the leadership role in the area?
Download PDF
17. Implementation of Court Reform in Kentucky
Published: Court Reform
1980
Court reform has been the largest change in Kentucky’s governmental history. The abolition of all lay judges and the introduction of state funding of all court operations have been accomplished in three years. Thus, much as been done in a short time, yet much remains to be done. This written report can summarize the efforts, but in no way can it truly reflect the dedication and hard work of many hundreds of people.
Download PDF
18. Creating Commercial Dispute Resolution Centers in Palestinian Territories
This article aims to describe the process by which the first commercial center was formed in Palestine. It is hoped that through these descriptions one might glean a general picture of how such centers are formed, the increasing reach and universality of arbitration and mediation as providing a common language of resolution, and the contribution that such centers make to local property and development.
Download PDF
19. Constructing Justice in a Fragile Territory
Reflections on Building the Rule of Law in the West Bank/Gaza
In the following pages, we describe DPK’s experience under the auspices of USAID in the West Bank/Gaza region, supporting the development of the Palestinian legal system. We will focus in particular on the lessons that pertain to operating a legal development program in the context of a fragile territory.
Download PDF
20. Access to Justice: Lessons from the Field
Rule of law and access to justice are important elements for the stability and development of transitional states. Governments gain significant legitimacy, both domestically and internationally, when rights are respected and promulgated.
This paper discusses access to justice. The first part will elaborate on the significance of access to justice. Second, this paper will identify access to justice, both theoretically and in practice. Finally, the study will examine lessons learned from access to justice projects throughout the developing world.
Download PDF
21. Building Social Capital Through Informal Dispute Resolution Centers
Current efforts to build social-capital tend to neglect the critical need and prerequisite of building a common value system based upon the ethic of human-oneness. This paper argues that (1) if donor agencies wish to promote social capital, they should make this ethic integral to their programs; and (2) the creation of informal dispute resolution center (IDRC) within civil societies is an appropriate and highly promising strategy. “The moral of the story is that if we do not pay attention to social capital, we will destroy it, all the while patting ourselves patting themselves on the back for helping people out.”
Download PDF