Panel Discussions for Fall 2009

This semester, The Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution will host a series of panel discussions that are open to all students. Each month, the Center will host a panel of four legal professionals from the Chicago area to speak on various topics. These practitioners will then provide the students with answers to any particular questions they might have.  Each panel in the series will be held on 3East on the third Thursday of each month, from Noon to 1:00pm. This month’s panel will take place on September 17th. The dates for future panels are October 15th and November 19th. At each event, food will be served.

The September 17th session will be focused on Alternative Dispute Resolution.  Scheduled to participate in this discussion are Frank J. Andreou, partner of Andreou & Casson, Ltd.,  and arbitrator John Spieske. A Judge and a law professor will also be participating on the September 17th panel discussion. Patricia Ross, a member of the Trial Advocacy Honors Board, will moderate this discussion.

The October 15th session will be focused on civil trial work. The Center is currently looking forward to the following practitioners participating on the panel: a bankruptcy attorney, a general practice attorney, a state court Judge, and a federal court Judge.  Trial Advocacy Board Member David Lipschutz will moderate the discussion.

The November 19th session will focus on criminal trial work. The Center is currently looking forward to the following practitioners participating on the November 19th panel: a prosecutor, a public defender, a private criminal defense attorney, and a criminal court Judge. Brandon DeBerry, Presiding Barrister of the Trial Advocacy Honors Board, will moderate this discussion.

Stay tuned for more information regarding each panel discussion. Information will be periodically updated. These panels are sure to be interesting and informative for all students no matter what field of law you wish to focus on.

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Stay Tuned . . . And Stay Connected!

The Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution and it’s Honors Board is happy to announce that the Fall 2009 Mock Trial team tryouts were a great success! Tons of 2Ls and 3Ls turned out in resounding numbers to compete against one another for 1 of 20 available spots for the Fall 2009 mock trial and arbitration team competitions. All 45 tryout slots were filled within the first few hours of sign-ups.

Watch out for the results! Team coaches are painstakingly reviewing the videos, resumes, and applications. The decision will not be easy but you can stay connected through the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution’s Facebook page. Team announcements, results, photographs, videos, and updates will be continuously posted throughout the semester. So if you just want to follow your favorite team or if you are just interested in learning more about mock trial and arbitration competitions, log on to  Facebook, search for the “Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution –The John Marshall Law School”, and click “Become a fan.” It’s that easy to stay connected.

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Attention Council Members!

Have you missed opportunities in the past to become involved in a mentor program at John Marshall? Do you wish you had another chance? You are in luck!

The Trial Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Honors Council is planning the first ever Trial Advocacy Alumni Mentor Program, designed exclusively for current Council Members to be paired with past Council and Trial Team Members. If you decide to participate in the program, you will get the chance to sign up on a first-come, first-serve basis, for the attorney of your choice, in a field of law that interests you most.

After signing up for the program, you will be asked to attend the initial “Meet and Greet” reception in mid-October, where mentors and mentees will mingle and enjoy complimentary cocktails and appetizers.  We know that as busy law students, finding the time to attend events can be stressful and difficult. For that reason, we have designed this program for you to personally plan any future meetings. That way, you and your mentor can meet at a time that works with both of your schedules and is convenient!

Keep an eye out for an email from the Trial Advocacy Board in the next few weeks that will provide you with details on sign-ups for the Mentor Program.  Don’t miss this great networking opportunity and the chance to obtain valuable advice from practicing attorneys in Chicago! 

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Negotiation and Mediation Tryouts

Interested in being on a team for Alternative Dispute Resolution? Tryout for either Negotiation or Mediation, or both! If you are uncertain of what either of these teams entail, the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution offers Final Round videos of recent competitions on Tegrity. Additionally, you can take a look at the video of the recent Conflict Resolution Workshop where we discussed the ins and outs of Negotiation and Mediation Competitions as well as had students perform simulations of each.

If you are interested in trying out, watch out for reminder emails from Gary Watson. Once you receive these emails, come to the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution in Room 411 to sign up. You will then receive a packet with a problem and instructions on how to try out.

Another team to think about is the ABA Client Counseling Team. Just ask me – I had a ball last spring at Marquette! If you’re interested in Client Counseling, those try-outs are coming up this semester as well.

Here are some dates to remember as you think about these fun and rewarding competitions!

• September 9, 2009: Sign-ups in room 411 from 10am- 5pm.

• September 16, 2009: Try-Outs for Negotiation in room 605 from 1-4pm.

• September 17, 2009: Try-Outs for Negotiation in room 608 from 1-4pm.

• November 11, 2009: Client Counseling Try-Outs in room 605 from 1-5pm

• November 18, 2009: Mediation Try-Outs in room 605 from 1-5pm

• November 19, 2009: Mediation Try-Outs in room 608 from 3-7pm

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