Judge Nicola, now of the Middlesex County (N.J.) Superior Court, began his judicial career as a municipal court judge in 1960. In 1974 he became a juvenile court judge. Eight years later he was shifted to the adult criminal division, where he soon became presiding judge. Among the judge's innovations is simultaneous sentencing, a procedure designed to speed the processing of criminal cases by gathering critical information on the defendant earlier in the proceedings so that sentencing could be accomplished at the time a defendant plead guilty. This reform allowed the courts to save 4-6 weeks. The judge has also been involved in other varied efforts to reduce court delays, including the drug court. The analysis emphasizes two themes: (1) whether the judicial system can be changed from within, given its traditions and the inherent conservatism of the legal system itself, and (2) whether judicial leadership provides the best chance for court reform and how such leadership can be developed and promoted. Figures, tables, chapter reference notes, index, and 57 references