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February 18 - 24, 2007 |
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Essay Winner Argues Iraqi Constitution Without Vibrance of American Document |
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The U.S. Constitution has been called a "living, breathing" document because it reflects the sentiments of the country's founders and provides for the rights of all citizens.
By contrast, the United States' efforts to nurture Iraq into a new fledgling democracy by helping to create the Iraqi Constitution have missed the mark, argued Lisa Azoory, a second-year student at The John Marshall Law School, in her winning Constitution Day essay.
Azoory won a $1,000 prize for her essay examining how different the steps have been in the development of the two constitutions. The essay contest at John Marshall was part of the law school's Constitution Day celebration on Sept. 18, 2006.
Azoory, a Canadian of Iraqi-Jewish heritage, is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal where she majored in American history.
"Even if the United States endeavors to outline the parameters of democracy while leaving the details up to the Iraqi people, democracy may still fail in Iraq," Azoory wrote. "If Iraq replicates American preferences in its struggle towards democracy, its constitution will be emblematic of Western hostility and resentment. Democracy cannot be forced on an unwilling population," she noted.
"As former ambassador Peter Galbraith states about Iraq's emerging democracy: `We should do now what we should have done at the start—defer to the people of Iraq. They have concluded that a single country is not possible, except in name.'"
Azoory said Americans "won their independence at the height of the Enlightenment, and were able to build up a sense of nationhood in a way in which Iraq has been completed deprived."
Azoory argues that American L. Paul Bremmer, Iraq's postwar administrator, failed to recognize three important factors about the country of Iraq:
1) The founders of the state of Iraq in the 1920s were not the people living in what we now call Iraq. The British who looked at the ruined Ottoman Empire stitched together the Iraqi nation of people who had never been a working group.
2) A constitution that emerges in Iraq must acknowledge, in some way, its strong authoritarian past recognizing the stronghold of the Ba'ath Party. The notion of federalism and separation of powers, as understood in the United States, makes little sense in the context of Iraq's authoritarian past.
3) Islam lies at the heart of nationhood as understood in Iraq. Iraq's factions want a weak central government so that regional governments can impose regional constitutions and laws.
"The Iraqi constitutional system should nevertheless be based on a revival of its own cultural, academic and religious heritage," Azoory argues. "The United States can facilitate democracy in Iraq without delving into intimate details of Iraq's constitution that should be decided and written by its people."
John Marshall Law School Acting Dean John Corkery (left) congratulated Lisa Azooy after she was announced as the winner of John Marshall's Constitution Day Essay Contest. They are joined by Professor Walter Kendall (right), who coordinated the program.
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Freeborn & Peters LLP and BLSA Honor Black Leaders Feb. 22 |
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As part of its Black History Month celebration, The Glenn T. Johnson Chapter of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at The John Marshall Law School, with the law firm Freeborn & Peters LLP, will be honoring Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Evans and the Cook County Bar Association (CCBA) on Thursday, Feb. 22, for their contributions to improving the roles of minority attorneys.
The celebratory reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at The John Marshall Law School, 315 S. Plymouth Ct., Chicago. Judge Evans will receive an award in recognition of his individual efforts, and Deborah Fortier, president of the CCBA, will accept an award on behalf of the CCBA's efforts.
"As we celebrate our heritage during Black History Month, we are excited to be honoring Judge Evans, a John Marshall graduate who has gone on to do great things for the community, the city of Chicago and the legal community," said Tope Odoffin, president of John Marshall's BLSA chapter.
"It is also a pleasure for BLSA to recognize the Cook County Bar Association for its 87-year history of working to improve the standing of minority attorneys practicing in the Chicago area," Odoffin said.
Freeborn & Peters is working with BLSA and The John Marshall Law School in underwriting the event.
"Our firm is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the students of BLSA and the faculty at The John Marshall Law School to honor and recognize the tremendous contributions made by Judge Evans and the Cook County Bar Association to our legal community," said John Z. Lee, a partner at Freeborn & Peters who co-chairs the law firm's Diversity Committee with another partner, Kathryn Thomas.
"Diversity is a key component in our firm's unique culture, and we are proud to sponsor these festivities," Lee added.
In addition to underwriting this event, Freeborn & Peters' Black History Month Committee has prepared exhibits chronicling the contribution of African-American lawyers throughout history. The exhibits are on display at The John Marshall Law School.
Making final preparations for the Feb. 22 reception are (from left) John Z. Lee, a partner at Freeborn & Peters LLP, and co-chair of the firm's Diversity Committee; Alfred Murray II, vice president of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA) at The John Marshall Law School; Tope Odoffin, president of BLSA; and C. Edward Watson, partner at Freeborn & Peters.
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Negotiation Team Wins 2nd Place National Honors |
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The John Marshall Law School team of Dan Padernacht and Curtis Vosti took second place honors in the American Bar Association's National Negotiation Competition Feb. 10 and 11 in Miami, Fla.
At the start, 220 teams from law schools throughout the country competed at regional meets and 24 teams were selected for the national competition. John Marshall's team was invited to participate in the national round after an excellent showing in Midwest Regional Competition. John Marshall's second team of Ian Bucciarelli and Luke Hajzl placed in the top 10 in the regional competition.
At the national competition, the team of third-year students Padernacht and Vosti had a perfect score in the Saturday preliminary rounds, and advanced to the final round, taking second place overall.
The negotiation competition provides students with an opportunity to improve their skills by simulating legal negotiations. The regional problem had Padernacht and Vosti negotiating placement of a wind farm in an area that was drawing criticism from residents and concern from the governing bodies.
At nationals, the first round dealt with a state implementing a public trust doctrine allowing access around a lake, and meeting property concerns of area residents. In the second round, the team was negotiating a memorandum of understanding with an environmental rights group for joint redevelopment of a 200-acre vacant industrial site; and in round three, chemicals were discovered at the site and consequently, the development was delayed forcing a renegotiation of the memorandum.
"It was a great experience, especially working with dedicated teammates and coaches," Vosti said. "This has left an indelible mark on me."
The team was selected in October 2006, and the regional competitions were in early November. Practice rounds increased to three times each week after the team was selected for national competition.
"John Marshall has one of the premier negotiation programs in the country," Padernacht said, "and I'm delighted to be a part of this program. The practical skill sets that I learned from this are really phenomenal, and will be most helpful to me once I enter the legal profession."
In 2006, Vosti was the individual winner and the John Marshall team of Vosti, Robert Bressler and Joshua Wolkomir won first place honors in the Fifth Annual National Law School Mediation Tournament in Chicago.
Special thanks are extended to the team's coaches—Adjunct Professor Dawn Bode and Susann MacLachlan, associate director of the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution.
Team mentors included Professor Kenneth Kandaras, director of the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution; John Marshall Professor Joanne Hodge and Adjunct Professor Joseph Annunzio (J.D. '85); Carol Green-Fraley (J.D. '84); and Bucciarelli and Hajzl.
Adjunct Professor Dawn Bode (left) and Susann MacLachlan (right), associate director of the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution, negotiation team coaches, congratulate the team of Dan Padernacht (second from left) and Curtis Vosti (third from left) on their 2007 second place win at the American Bar Association's National Negotiation Competition.
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Kissane Winner Accepts Award |
Joseph Cook (right) the January 2006 winner of the Elmer C. Kissane Public Service Award, accepts congratulations from Paul Kissane (left), son of Elmer Kissane, after receiving his $5,000 award from Acting Dean John Corkery (center). The Kissane Award was established in memory of Elmer Kissane (J.D. '45), who worked for 43 years with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. The award is presented to the student who has completed a year with the Cook County State's Attorney's Office. Cook is working in the Criminal Appeals Division of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
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Faculty Activities and Publications |
Professor John D. Ingram
Publications 
His article, "Vicarious Liability of the Employer of an Apparent Servant" was cited recently in 2005 U. Ill. L. Rev. 1291 and 15 Marq. Sports L. Rev. 369.
Professor Mark E. Wojcik
Activities 
Professor Wojcik was chosen to be Chair-Elect and Treasurer of the Association of American Law Schools Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues. He will become chair of that section in January 2008. He is presently serving as the 2007 Chair of the AALS Human Rights Section.
As Publications Chair of the American Bar Association Section of International Law, he presented a review of section publications including books, scholarly journals, section newsletters, and committee newsletters during the Midyear Meeting of the American Bar Association. He also chaired a special one-hour program on international law books on February 9, 2007.
Publications
"Ten Questions for New Lawyers to Ask," The Second Draft, vol. 21, no. 2, at 14 (Dec. 2006) (Bulletin of the Legal Writing Institute) (identifying ten areas of concern for new associates and law clerks when determining the scope and limits of a new research assignment).
"Starting the Debate: Should Illinois Have Same-Sex Marriage or Civil Unions?," 33:4 Human Rights 3 (Jan. 2007) (newsletter of the Illinois State Bar Association Section on Human Rights) (presenting a discussion as to whether Illinois should adopt a Civil Union Statute, with a first draft of a proposed Illinois statute allowing civil unions for same-sex couples).
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Real Estate Mentorship Program Will Be Outlined At Tuesday Program |
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Al Klairmont of Imperial Realty will be the guest speaker when the Center for Real Estate Law and the Career Services Office presents a program outlining the Eisenberg Mentorship Program.
At the 5 to 6 p.m. program on Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Room 1103, Klairmont will discuss the unique mentorship opportunities the foundation offers to students interested in a career in real estate.
For additional information, contact the Center for Real Estate Law at extension 500.
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Student Activities |
February 19
The National Lawyers Guild will meet at 1 p.m. in room 201.
February 21
The Black Law Students Association continues with events for "Black History Month" with the showing of the movie "Crash". 5 p.m. in room 1101.
February 22
The Black Law Students Association annual "Legacy of Opportunity" is being hosted by the law firm of Freeborn & Peters. 5 p.m. in room 200.
February 24
The Black Law Students Association will meet at 11 a.m. in room 1105.
Barrister's Ball tickets are available for sale from Marilyn Criss's office or from the SBA in the student lounge. You will want to attend this annual formal event. This year it will be held at the Mid-America Club. Tickets are $65 in advance and $75 at the door.
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Schedule of Events |
February 19
- MiniBar, Room 531, 9 a.m.
- Faculty Assembly, Room 503, 12:15 p.m.
- Staff Event, Room 3East, 12:30 p.m.
- Career Services Office Interviewing Strategies Workshop, Room 1103, 12:30 p.m.
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 800, 5 p.m.
February 20
- Insights I Program, Room 503, 12 p.m.
- International General Counsels Roundtable, Room 1102, 12:45 p.m.
- Bar Performance Test, Room 403, 1 p.m.
February 21
- MiniBar, Room 201, 9 a.m.
- Deans' Meeting, Courtroom, 10 a.m.
- Career Services Office Criminal Law Careers, Room 1200A, 12:30 p.m.
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 800, 5 p.m.
- Career Services Office Evening Student Orientation Part II, Room 522, 5 p.m.
February 22
- Bar Performance Tests, Room 200, 6 p.m.
February 23
- 51st Annual Conference on Developments in Intellectual Property Law, Room 1200, 8 a.m.
- Bar Performance Tests, Room 529, 1 p.m.
February 24
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 409, 10 a.m.
- Insights I Program, (Room 503), 1 p.m.
February 26
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 800, 5 p.m.
February 27
- Insights I Program, Room 503, 12 p.m.
February 28
- Deans' Meeting, Courtroom, 10 a.m.
- Lunch and Learn: Nuts and Bolts of Hot Topics In Employee Benefits Law, Room 503, 11:30 a.m.
- Career Services Office Small Firm Job Search, Room 1103, 12:30 p.m.
- Faculty Works in Progress - Professor Bond, Room 522, 3:30 p.m.
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 800, 5 p.m.
- After-the-Bar Party, 3East, 5:30 p.m.
March 1
- Faculty Works in Progress - Professor Kaplan, Room 522, 12:15 p.m.
March 3
- BEEP (Bar Essay Exam Program), Room 409, 10 a.m.
- Insights I Program, Room 503, 1 p.m.
- Alumni Dinner, 3East, 6 p.m.
March 4
- B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Brain), Room 409, 9:30 a.m.
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Editor's Note
In the Loop is published by The John Marshall Law School, Chicago, Copyright 2007
Editor: Assistant Dean John M. McNamara; Contributors: Marilyn Thomas, Director, Public Relations and Advertising; Andrea Koklys, Assistant Director, Public Relations and Advertising
All information to be included in In the Loop must be placed in the INTHELOOP folder on the H drive of the law school's computer network by 12 p.m. each Wednesday. When the volume of submissions exceeds the available space in the printed version of In the Loop, additonal material will appear only in the online version of the Newsletter, which can be found on the law school's website at www.jmls.edu. 
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