Mario Toscano Reflects on His Time as Clerk of the Court
After 36 years of service, Mario Toscano has retired as the Clerk of the Court of the U.S. Court of International Trade. Please enjoy an interview with Mario, reflecting on his time at the Court, his many contributions, and his next steps.
Both Chiefs are deeply committed to the mission and integrity of the Court. In the federal courts, even though the Clerk of Court serves at the pleasure of the Chief Judge and the Court, the relationship between the Chief Judge and Clerk is generally a collaborative one. I was very fortunate that both Chief Judges I worked under were wonderful in that regard. They gave me full reign to oversee the Court’s operations and administration. At the same time, they were incredibly supportive, and each was a tremendous source of knowledge and guidance when needed. That balance of autonomy and support made it possible to accomplish so much during my tenure.
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4. What is your favorite memory from your experience at the Court?
My favorite memories, over the years are often from our annual Employee Recognition Awards ceremonies. It’s always a highlight for me because it showcases the incredible work our staff do, often going above and beyond in ways that many don’t see but that make a real impact on the Court’s operations.
I would not have been as successful in my role without the creative, dedicated, and hardworking staff who supported me and the Court as a whole. The awards ceremony is not only a time to celebrate their accomplishments, but also a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are to have such a committed team. It’s a fun, uplifting tradition that I’ve looked forward to every year, and one that I will truly miss, along with the people and their amazing contributions.
5. What are some lessons that you have learned from working with the judges and the court staff that would be helpful for international trade practitioners?
Start by mastering the fundamentals, understanding, and knowing the statutes, regulations, Court Rules, and procedures that govern our jurisdiction. Credibility is built on a solid foundation of knowledge. Also, come visit the courthouse. Visitors are always welcomed, it’s a great way to meet key staff, see how the court operates, explore our fantastic library, and even try out the new technology we have in the courtrooms.
7. What are you looking forward to most in the next chapter of your life?
I’m looking forward to having more time for family, travel, and personal interests that often took a back seat during my time with the Court. At the same time, I hope to stay connected to the judicial community, whether through mentoring or consulting. After so many years of public service, I’m excited for this new chapter in my life.
I want to sincerely thank you and CITBA for the opportunity to participate in this interview. It’s an honor to reflect on the work we’ve done and to share the progress we’ve made at the Court. CITBA plays an important role in fostering attorney professional development and community among those who practice before the Court of International Trade. One of the things I’ve always appreciated is the strong sense of collegiality among CITBA’s attorney members. That spirit of professionalism and mutual respect strengthens our shared mission and enhances the work we all do. Thank you again, and I wish everyone in the CITBA membership a fond farewell.
1. What were your goals when you took over the Clerk of Court role? Do you feel that you achieved all of them?
When I stepped into the role of Clerk of Court, my primary goals were to improve the efficiency of our operations, both in terms of customer service and internal administrative processes, while maintaining high-quality service in the face of tightening budget constraints. I aimed to streamline procedures, eliminate redundancies, and harness technology to better support the Court’s evolving needs. Looking back, I’m proud of the progress we made toward these goals.
One of the most impactful initiatives was the modernization of our courtrooms. By integrating cutting-edge audiovisual technology, we significantly enhanced the courtroom experience for attorneys and parties alike. These improvements have allowed for more effective evidence presentations and enabled smoother remote participation for witnesses and counsel, both of which contribute to more efficient and accessible proceedings, directly supporting our goal of doing more with less.
Another major area of focus was improving physical accessibility within the courthouse. Recognizing the need for equitable access, we constructed a fully wheelchair-accessible courtroom, a first for our Court. We also renovated a judge’s chambers to ensure it could accommodate individuals with mobility impairments. These changes were essential not only for compliance but also for reinforcing the Court’s commitment to inclusivity and equal access to justice.
Streamlining administrative processes was also a priority, particularly regarding attorney admissions to the Court’s Bar. The previous process was unnecessarily slow and burdensome. By implementing electronic payment systems and using automation for renewals, we significantly reduced processing times and improved the user experience for attorneys, again aligning with our broader mission of operational efficiency. In addition to these outward-facing improvements, we also enhanced many internal workflows that may not be visible to the public but have greatly increased our behind-the-scenes efficiency. These included optimizing staff procedures, re-structuring positions, and updating outdated manual tasks, all of which contribute to a more responsive and effective Court operation.
Finally, we undertook a comprehensive review and update of the Court’s Rules to ensure they reflect current practices and support judicial decision making. This included collaborating closely with judges and the Rules Advisory Committee to modernize outdated provisions and nearly complete the integration of a 2001 Administrative Order on electronic filing into the official rules. These updates will make the filing process clearer, more consistent, and more aligned with how the Court operates today.
While I believe there is always room for continued improvement, I feel confident that we met the core objectives I set when I began. The initiatives we implemented have not only increased efficiency and accessibility but also positioned the Court to adapt more readily to future challenges.
Another major area of focus was improving physical accessibility within the courthouse. Recognizing the need for equitable access, we constructed a fully wheelchair-accessible courtroom, a first for our Court. We also renovated a judge’s chambers to ensure it could accommodate individuals with mobility impairments. These changes were essential not only for compliance but also for reinforcing the Court’s commitment to inclusivity and equal access to justice.
Streamlining administrative processes was also a priority, particularly regarding attorney admissions to the Court’s Bar. The previous process was unnecessarily slow and burdensome. By implementing electronic payment systems and using automation for renewals, we significantly reduced processing times and improved the user experience for attorneys, again aligning with our broader mission of operational efficiency. In addition to these outward-facing improvements, we also enhanced many internal workflows that may not be visible to the public but have greatly increased our behind-the-scenes efficiency. These included optimizing staff procedures, re-structuring positions, and updating outdated manual tasks, all of which contribute to a more responsive and effective Court operation.
Finally, we undertook a comprehensive review and update of the Court’s Rules to ensure they reflect current practices and support judicial decision making. This included collaborating closely with judges and the Rules Advisory Committee to modernize outdated provisions and nearly complete the integration of a 2001 Administrative Order on electronic filing into the official rules. These updates will make the filing process clearer, more consistent, and more aligned with how the Court operates today.
While I believe there is always room for continued improvement, I feel confident that we met the core objectives I set when I began. The initiatives we implemented have not only increased efficiency and accessibility but also positioned the Court to adapt more readily to future challenges.
2. What are the biggest changes that you have seen during your tenure at the Court?
The most significant and transformative change occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Practically overnight, we were forced to shift to remote operations to ensure the Court could continue functioning without interruption. This required the rapid implementation of virtual capabilities, the adoption of new communication tools, and the modification of workflows to support a fully remote environment.
Fortunately, I had already begun developing a telework program for the Clerk’s Office prior to the pandemic. That early groundwork positioned us well to adapt quickly and maintain continuity of operations. It was a challenging period, but it also underscored the resilience and dedication of our judges and staff.
Our adaptations during the pandemic revealed several lasting benefits, particularly in the area of remote work. For instance, we found that many court functions could be conducted electronically, even during disruptive events like severe weather. Remote participation proved especially effective for brief conferences, saving attorneys, litigants, and witnesses both time and travel expenses. Additionally, when appropriate, virtual access has enabled greater participation from out-of-area attorneys and expert witnesses.
The shift to virtual proceedings also prompted a broader push for transparency and public access. As a result, the Judicial Conference approved, and we launched a YouTube channel to broadcast live audio of court proceedings and began posting recordings of select proceedings on our website. This significantly expanded public access to the cases being litigated in the court. We continue to provide access to the YouTube channel and recordings today and plan to keep doing so.
Ultimately, the pandemic accelerated our adoption of new technology and opened the door to more flexible, and efficient ways of serving the Court and the public.
3. You served under two different Chief Judges Stanceu and Barnett. Can you tell us anything about how their leadership styles compare or differ?
Fortunately, I had already begun developing a telework program for the Clerk’s Office prior to the pandemic. That early groundwork positioned us well to adapt quickly and maintain continuity of operations. It was a challenging period, but it also underscored the resilience and dedication of our judges and staff.
Our adaptations during the pandemic revealed several lasting benefits, particularly in the area of remote work. For instance, we found that many court functions could be conducted electronically, even during disruptive events like severe weather. Remote participation proved especially effective for brief conferences, saving attorneys, litigants, and witnesses both time and travel expenses. Additionally, when appropriate, virtual access has enabled greater participation from out-of-area attorneys and expert witnesses.
The shift to virtual proceedings also prompted a broader push for transparency and public access. As a result, the Judicial Conference approved, and we launched a YouTube channel to broadcast live audio of court proceedings and began posting recordings of select proceedings on our website. This significantly expanded public access to the cases being litigated in the court. We continue to provide access to the YouTube channel and recordings today and plan to keep doing so.
Ultimately, the pandemic accelerated our adoption of new technology and opened the door to more flexible, and efficient ways of serving the Court and the public.
Both Chiefs are deeply committed to the mission and integrity of the Court. In the federal courts, even though the Clerk of Court serves at the pleasure of the Chief Judge and the Court, the relationship between the Chief Judge and Clerk is generally a collaborative one. I was very fortunate that both Chief Judges I worked under were wonderful in that regard. They gave me full reign to oversee the Court’s operations and administration. At the same time, they were incredibly supportive, and each was a tremendous source of knowledge and guidance when needed. That balance of autonomy and support made it possible to accomplish so much during my tenure.
W
My favorite memories, over the years are often from our annual Employee Recognition Awards ceremonies. It’s always a highlight for me because it showcases the incredible work our staff do, often going above and beyond in ways that many don’t see but that make a real impact on the Court’s operations.
I would not have been as successful in my role without the creative, dedicated, and hardworking staff who supported me and the Court as a whole. The awards ceremony is not only a time to celebrate their accomplishments, but also a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are to have such a committed team. It’s a fun, uplifting tradition that I’ve looked forward to every year, and one that I will truly miss, along with the people and their amazing contributions.
Working closely with judges and staff has reinforced the importance of clarity, precision, and professionalism. Judges value well-organized, thoughtfully reasoned arguments and appreciate when practitioners anticipate the Court’s needs and questions. Most importantly, judges expect and demand that you are fully prepared for any argument you are making. Preparation is not optional; it’s essential.
I’ve also learned that civility and collaboration are critical, even in an adversarial setting. Practitioners who demonstrate respect for the process and for everyone involved tend to build stronger reputations and more effective careers. Attention to detail, patience, and professionalism go a long way in earning the Court’s confidence.
6. What advice would you give to young attorneys who are just getting started in international trade law?
I’ve also learned that civility and collaboration are critical, even in an adversarial setting. Practitioners who demonstrate respect for the process and for everyone involved tend to build stronger reputations and more effective careers. Attention to detail, patience, and professionalism go a long way in earning the Court’s confidence.
Start by mastering the fundamentals, understanding, and knowing the statutes, regulations, Court Rules, and procedures that govern our jurisdiction. Credibility is built on a solid foundation of knowledge. Also, come visit the courthouse. Visitors are always welcomed, it’s a great way to meet key staff, see how the court operates, explore our fantastic library, and even try out the new technology we have in the courtrooms.
I’m looking forward to having more time for family, travel, and personal interests that often took a back seat during my time with the Court. At the same time, I hope to stay connected to the judicial community, whether through mentoring or consulting. After so many years of public service, I’m excited for this new chapter in my life.
I want to sincerely thank you and CITBA for the opportunity to participate in this interview. It’s an honor to reflect on the work we’ve done and to share the progress we’ve made at the Court. CITBA plays an important role in fostering attorney professional development and community among those who practice before the Court of International Trade. One of the things I’ve always appreciated is the strong sense of collegiality among CITBA’s attorney members. That spirit of professionalism and mutual respect strengthens our shared mission and enhances the work we all do. Thank you again, and I wish everyone in the CITBA membership a fond farewell.