COMPETITION WINNER
GALE CUP UNIVERSITÉ DE MONTREAL
SOPINKA CUP UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
NATIONAL MOOT COURT COMPETITION TEXAS TECH
NATIONAL TRIAL COMPETITION UCLA
TRAINING PROGRAMS
Boot Camp Trial Training Program
QFirst international training program occurred virtually
in December 2021 with barristers in London
Q Several boot camps were held throughout the United
States, including events in Houston, Miami, Denver
and Orlando---and several more are on the calendar
QLaunched a test case, virtual one year/once a month
lunchtime Boot Camp in association with six bar associations
in Maryland
Teaching Of Trial And Appellate Advocacy
QThe first Diversity in the Courtroom program occurred
May 20-22 in Chicago and involved about
fifty diverse lawyers and twelve Fellows from around
the United States, including Past President Doug
Young. The program took the students through the
trial process ending with a mock trial on the final day.
The success of this inaugural training program was
the result of the collaborative efforts of Chair Tom
Heiden, Immediate Past Chair Joe Crawford, and
the members of their committee. Our courtrooms
are diverse---judges, jurors, court personnel, and witnesses.
The emergence of a broader group of talented,
diverse lawyers will benefit clients in particular and
our system of justice in general. This program will
help bring even more talented and diverse advocates
of excellence to our courtrooms while building faith,
trust, and belief in our justice system. We anticipate
this program becoming an annual event.
Mentoring Committee
QLaunched the Just The Beginning Internship Program
to offer paid internships (with financial support
from the Foundation and the College) for law students
of moderate means during the summer of 2022.
The students will be mentored by a Judicial Fellow
and a local fellow from that city.
Jere White Trial Advocacy Program was originally scheduled
for November, 2021, but has been rescheduled to
November 2022 due to the pandemic.
Additional training programs were presented throughout
the year, both virtually and in person, by various State
and Province Committees in their local jurisdictions.
LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP
The leadership workshop was held in Tucson, Arizona over
the Halloween weekend. The Executive Committee provided
training for our Regents, State and Province Chairs, and
General Committee Chairs to help them fulfill their duties
this year. These leaders of the College have shown great commitment
and passion for their roles. Secretary-Designate and
Advocacy in the 21st Century Committee Chair John Day
moderated a spirited panel discussion about the pandemic
and the impact on our Courts. The Judicial panel included
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas Chief
Judge Barbara Lynn; Ontario Superior Court of Justice Darla
Wilson; and Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bridget
McCormack. The panel sought to outline the best court and
technology practices going forward. The Judges described the
crown jewel of our system of government as the Rule of Law.
They encouraged the Fellows to take lessons learned from the
challenges of the pandemic and improve the administration
of justice and access to justice going forward. Innovation, creativity,
and collaboration will be essential tools.
Past President David Beck spoke to the Workshop leaders
about engagement and the responsibilities of leadership.
David quoted Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible,
until it is done.” Regent Joe Caldwell addressed diversity
in the College. Joe, along with Secretary Rick Deane, have
been instrumental in the implementation and advancement
of our diversity initiatives, and they joined me in meetings
with all state and province diversity liaisons. The Workshop
concluded with Regent Greg Lederer updating our leadership
about the Task Force on Fellow Engagement chaired by
Fellow Cal Mayo.
COMPETITIONS
The College sponsors four moot and mock trial competitions
every year. The Gale Cup, Sopinka Cup, and National Moot
Court Competition were held virtually. The National Trial
Competition was held in person in Fort Worth, Texas. Past
Presidents Doug Young and Rodney Acker had the honor of
judging the semi-finals and I had the privilege of judging the
finals of the competition. The talent of the students in all of
these competitions was amazing as was the dedication of the
Fellows who support these competitions. The winners of this
year’s competitions are below:
FALL 2022 JOURNAL 12