Shay Cleary
Principal Court Management Consultant, National Center for State Courts
Shay Cleary is an accomplished court information technology professional and Principal Consultant with NCSC Court Consulting Services, leading technology, AI, and cybersecurity initiatives. He has more than 25 years of experience in court technology and administration and has served in a wide range of roles within the Minnesota Judicial Branch, including technical writer, business architect, information technology manager, deputy director, and managing director.
Throughout his career, Shay has led numerous initiatives focused on technical leadership, infrastructure modernization, procurement, process improvement, and end user support. He is passionate about leveraging technology and innovation to improve court administration, access to justice, and operational outcomes.
Before joining NCSC, Shay worked as a technology consultant and senior project manager at Mission Critical Partners, where he supported government data, infrastructure management, and cybersecurity initiatives across the public safety, justice, and utility sectors.
Shay's qualifications include a master's degree in business communication and a bachelor's degree in technical communication, along with certifications as a Certified Court Manager (CCM), ITIL Foundations Practitioner, and ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC). He is an active member of NACM and serves on IJIS Court Advisory and Cybersecurity Committees.
He has served on the Advisory Council of the ABA Task Force on the Law and Artificial Intelligence, supports the Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators AI Rapid Response Team, and frequently speaks domestically and internationally on the impact of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in the courts.
Shay's expertise in court technology was instrumental in Minnesota's statewide transition to an electronic court environment, and his work continues to drive innovation and modernization efforts in court systems across the country.
