Of course, the above stories represent just a few of the extraordinary events we shared with
Fellows and the warmth we experienced at every meeting from our Fellows and their spouses/
guests. Due to several trial and College conflicts, Brett and I were unable to attend a few
of the local meetings. We very much appreciate our colleagues on the Executive Committee
who covered these meetings for us. We are hopeful that our States and Provinces will
continue to schedule more local meetings as our world continues to reopen.
REGIONAL MEETINGS
We also attended four regional meetings---the 3rd Circuit Regional Meeting in Philadelphia
(Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania); Region 6 Meeting in New Orleans (Arkansas,
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas); the Tri-State Meeting also in New Orleans (Alabama,
Florida, and Georgia); and the Northwest Regional Meeting in Girdwood, Alaska (Alberta,
Alaska, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington). Our regional meetings
continue to be a great way for Fellows to gather with colleagues from their region without
the additional expense of a national meeting. As you can see from the below summaries,
regional meetings occur at world-class locations with the quality of the speakers rivaling
those at the ACTL national meetings.
The 3rd Circuit Regional Meeting began with a Friday
night reception followed by dinner hosted by Regent
Katie Recker and her husband Matt. The program was
held in the beautiful Masonic Temple. Delaware State
Chair David Ross, New Jersey State Chair Ed Kole,
and Pennsylvania State Chair John Conti hosted the
meeting. The speakers included Delaware U.S. Senator
Chris Coons, Chief Judge Michael A. Chagares of the
3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Karen M.
Williams of the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, and
Maurice Q. Jones who is the Founder of PAR Recycle
Program which salvages electronic parts and mines
them for valuable minerals, supporting 112 employees
who are ex-convicts. The program reduces recidivism
and provides parolees with employment, housing,
and other support. Additional speakers were William
Markham, a highly decorated Air Force veteran and
Executive Director of Project One Vet At A Time
(POVAT), who helps veterans receive the benefits
to which they are entitled on a pro bono legal basis.
Fellow Jeff O’Hara was instrumental in founding this
program. Dean Amy J. Wildermuth of the University
of Pittsburgh School of Law, and Judge Nelson C.
Johnson, author of the “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO
series) were the final speakers of the day.
New Jersey State Chair Ed Kole is part owner of a
horse, Mo Donegal, who finished 5th in the Kentucky
Derby. Mo ended up winning the final Triple
Crown race, the Belmont Stakes. The College has, to
my knowledge, its first winner of a Triple Crown race!
The Region 6 Meeting started with a cocktail reception followed
by remarks by Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards
who discussed economic challenges and opportunities, the
effects of climate change, and the polarization existing in
America today. The General Session was opened by former
New Orleans Mayor and current National Coordinator of
Infrastructure Implementation Mayor Mitch Landrieu who
summarized the national infrastructure plan and the need to
rebuild roads and bridges in the United States in order to compete
with the rest of the world. Damon Hewitt, President and
Executive Director of Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Under Law, summarized the Lawyers’ Committee’s efforts in
justice reform, digital justice, prevention of hate crimes, and
election rights and reforms. Former Director of the United
States Marshals Service Don Washington spoke about our oldest
federal law enforcement agency founded under Article II
in 1789. The Marshals Service retains final authority regarding
security requirements for the judicial branch of the federal
government and is sworn to protect the rule of law. Finally,
Past President Rodney Acker, Fellow Mark Surprenant and I
presented the 2020 Emil Gumpert Award to Professor Becki
Kondkar, who is Co-Director of the Tulane Law School Women’s
Prison Project. Due to the pandemic, there had not previously
been an in-person formal ceremony. Professor Kondkar
shared the story of Sandra, a woman who was convicted of
second-degree murder in 1995 by a divided 10-2 jury. She
was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for killing
her abusive, estranged boyfriend after he entered her home
uninvited and tried to strangle her. The Women’s Prison Project
helps women like Sandra to end the practice of punishing and
incarcerating domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking
survivors through law reform, training, and education.
FALL 2022 JOURNAL 10