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Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2004 |
John Marshall Partnership with Swift Specialty School Enters Second Phase
Dean Patricia Mell addresses the graduating eighth graders at the Swift Specialty School graduation in June.
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Jesse Reyes (J.D. '82) (right) reviews the facts of the case for Swift School students before they decide the outcome as the trial's jurors. With Goldilocks (standing, center) Amanda Sleezer, are her defense attorneys Mark Javier (left) and Renee Germaine. All are John Marshall Phi Alpha Delta members.
The John Marshall Law School is entering its second phase of programming and support as part of the ongoing relationship with Swift Specialty School.
The relationship began in the spring semester, when the law school partnered with Swift and Loyola University's GEAR UP program to provide students at Swift with educational opportunities they may not otherwise have.
On April 29, a mock trial of Goldilocks was performed at Swift by John Marshall students. A student jury of fifth, sixth and seventh graders at Swift declared Goldilocks not guilty of breaking and entering and destruction of property in the home of the three bears, despite the testimonies of the Bear family.
Judge Jesse Reyes (J.D. '82), presided over the case, frequently calling Swift students to order as the case heated up. Dean Patricia Mell acted as bailiff. John Marshall Phi Alpha Delta student members Renee Germaine, Mark Javier, Kyle Velasquez, Ed Seibert, Amanda Sleezer, Jennifer Van Cleeve, Krusha Patel, Michelle Valiukenas, and Matt Steward each performed a special role in the trial.
The Swift students were asked to serve as the jury. They asked many questions of the John Marshall group, and listened as the law students talked about the process of earning a law degree. Several Swift students said they wanted to be lawyers some day. A few days after the event, mail arrived at John Marshall with letters from each student who had attended the mock trial. Several students called Mell, the first woman and first African-American in the law school's 105-year history an "inspiration," and thanked The John Marshall Law School for partnering with them.
Mell said the goal of the partnership is to increase familiarity and knowledge of law in Swift and the surrounding community.
"Today we gave the students a small view of what lawyers do every day," Mell said. "By adopting the students at Swift, we're adopting not only a school, but an entire community."
In June, Dean Mell gave the commencement speech to 90 eighth grade graduates of Swift.
The John Marshall Law School plans to provide many levels of support for students and parents at Swift during this academic year.
During the fall 2004 semester, fifth grade classes at Swift will participate in a mock trial program. The trial will be State v. Bean, and John Marshall's Hispanic Law Students Association and Student Bar Association will be participating organizations.
The school also plans an optional, 15-week morning mock trial competition for seventh and eighth graders. Participation will be limited by an application process and a teacher's recommendation. The program will begin in the spring 2005 semester, and the semi and final rounds will be held at the law school. The winner will be offered a John Marshall scholarship to be redeemed if and when the student qualifies for admission to the law school.
A Street Law for Juvenile Justice course will be offered to seventh and eighth graders. The six classes will encompass a regular year-long program, and will include assemblies with guest speakers including judges, prosecutors and public defenders.
Fifth and sixth graders will be offered a year-long Street Law Mediation Program, which will incorporate conflict resolution into the curriculum. Seventh graders will receive instruction to help them pass the Constitution test. Teacher training will be provided by the Constitutional Rights Foundation.
The partnership extends to the parents of Swift, too. Professors from John Marshall's Fair Housing Legal Clinic and lawyers and law students with expertise in immigration matters have been offering legal counseling to parents on lending and credit, landlord and tenant, and immigration issues. Two sessions were held in May, and another two sessions were held in June. Additional sessions will be held, but dates have not yet been decided.
Each of these programs and additional programs being planned will require volunteer assistance from John Marshall alumni, faculty and students. If you are interested in participating in any of these programs, please contact William Hansen at 5hansenw@stu.jmls.edu or Thomas Raleigh at 5raleigh@stu.jmls.edu.
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Professor Crane Moves Into Associate Dean Position
Professor Linda R. Crane has been named associate dean for faculty development. In this new position, Crane will work on short- and long-term activities.
Crane has been teaching negotiable instruments, property law and securities regulation. She will continue to teach on a limited basis. She also has been the advisor for the Black Law Students Association, and coached several moot court teams.
In her position as associate dean, Crane will provide resources to the faculty, develop and implement strategies and programs that are designed to help the full-time and adjunct faculty develop and improve their skills in the areas of scholarship, teaching effectiveness and service to the community. In particular, she will launch initiatives to help faculty to increase the use of technology before, during and after class; begin new scholarship development programs involving visiting scholars; and work to incorporate the large number of lawyer teachers on the John Marshall adjunct faculty into the campus life.
Crane will also work with the Faculty Executive Committee and other relevant faculty committees on issues relating to faculty development and help identify and pursue grant writing opportunities for external financial support. She also will help faculty develop the means to work collaboratively.
The associate dean position also includes coordinating faculty improvement programs; development of the new Dean's Prizes for faculty excellence in teaching, scholarship and service; management of the Media Services Department; and coordination of the Braun Memorial Lecture.
Crane joined the John Marshall faculty in 1989. After receiving a J.D. and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University, she was a strategic issues analyst for International Harvester and practiced with the firm Hill, Hubbard, Cole & Couch. Later, she was a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch and a vice president at Bear, Stearns & Co. She also was a named partner with the Chicago law firm of Boyd & Crane from 1987 to 1989.
She has served with various organizations as an officer or chair, including Midwest People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference; the 1st National Meeting of the Six Regional People of Color Conferences; the Central States Law Schools Association; the Law Schools Administration Council national meeting for law professors; and the Association of American Law Schools Audit and Investment Committee.
Crane also volunteers in her community and has served as president of the board of the Cabrini Green Tutoring Program and Legal Elections in All Precincts Research and Educational Fund, Inc. She is serving on the boards of the Chicago State University Foundation, MacCormac College and The Greater Chicago Food Depository.
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Student Activities
September 27
The Animal Law Society will meet at 5:00 p.m. in room 201.
Phi Alpha Delta will meet at 1:00 p.m. in room 201.
September 28
The Gay and Lesbian Legal Alliance/American Constitutional Society will present the program "Out at Work, Not Out of Work" at 5:00 p.m. in room 216.
The Environmental Law Society will meet at 12:45 p.m. in room 201.
The Fair Housing Association will meet at 5:00 p.m. in room 201.
The International Law Society will feature Mr. Michael Peil as its speaker at 12:45 p.m. in room 300. Mr. Peil will give an overview of the International Law Students Association where he is the Executive Director.
The Christian Legal Society will meet at 12:35 p.m. in room 1105.
September 29
The Women's Law Caucus will meet at 12 & 5 p.m. in room 216.
October 2
There will be a Phi Alpha Delta District Conference from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in room 200.
The Vocal Ensemble is a group of staff, faculty and students that are interested in forming a chorus to entertain at our annual holiday party. If you are interested, please see Miss Criss, room 212.
Barrister's Ball tickets are on sale now from Miss Criss or Monica Panek. Buy your tickets early so that you do not miss this special event. The ball will be held this year at the Drake Hotel.
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Trustee Gallo Honored for Service to Legal Profession
Al Gallo (standing third from left), president of the Board of Trustees of The John Marshall Law School, received congratulations from his John Marshall friends when he was honored at the Illinois State Board Association's luncheon Sept. 10. Gallo, who has been practicing law since 1954, received a 50-year Counselor honor from the association. Joining him at the luncheon were (seated, from left) Professor Michael Seng; Professor Frank Morrissey; Associate Dean Jane Oswald; Professor Susan Brody, and (standing, from left) Professor Michael Polelle; Vice Dean John Corkery; Dean Patricia Mell; Associate Dean Rory Smith; and Associate Dean William Mock.
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Professor Seng Interviewed on WGN TV
Juan Carlos Fanjul (left) of WGN-TV and host of "Adelante," a program geared to an Hispanic audience, interviewed Professor Michael Seng (second from left), and students (from left) Kimberly Powers, Janet Betz and Hope Farmby about the work the Fair Housing Legal Clinic is doing in Chicago's Southwest neighborhood to work with residents who have been targeted by predatory lenders. The students, all in their third year, are volunteers with the predatory lending project. The "Adelante" interview aired Sept. 11, 2004.
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Schedule of Events
September 27
- Admissions & Financial Aid Committee Meeting, Room 1103, 11:30 a.m.
- Insights Program, Room 1200, 12:00 p.m.
- Faculty Executive Committee Meeting, Room 402, 12:15 p.m.
- Phi Alpha Delta, Room 201, 1:00 p.m.
- Student Affairs Committee Meeting, Room 402, 3:00 p.m.
- Animal Law, Room 201, 5:00 p.m.
September 28
- Negotiation Team Tryouts, Room 402, 1:00 p.m.
September 29
- Chinese Program, Room 529, 9:00 a.m.
- LDSSA, Room 1103, 11:30 a.m.
- Insights Program I Make-up, Room 200, 12:00 p.m.
- Career Services - Careers in Public Service, Room 1200, 12:45 p.m.
- Writing Workshop, Room 403, 4:00 p.m.
October 1
- Last day to withdraw from classes
- Minority Mock Trial Competition, Room 3East and Courtroom, 8:00 a.m.
- `E-lection: Is E-Voting Ready for Prime Time' Symposium, Room 1200, 8:45 a.m.
- Multistate Diagnostic Exam, Room 201, 9:00 a.m.
- Employee Benefits Business Meeting, Room 402, 12:00 p.m.
October 2
- Minority Mock Trial Competition, Room 3East and Courtroom, 8:00 a.m.
- Bar Exam Essay Program, Room 409, 8:30 a.m.
- Insights Program, Room 300, 1:30 p.m.
October 3
- Multistate Diagnostic Exam, Room 201, 9:00 a.m.
October 4
- Insights Program, Room 1200, 12:00 p.m.
- Academic Affairs Committee Meeting, Room 1103, 12:15 p.m.
- Tenure Committee Meeting, Room 1105, 12:15 p.m.
October 5
- Jillin Scholar Lexis Nexis Training, Room 1100, 10:30 a.m.
- Czech Study Trip Group Meeting, Room 1101, 6:00 p.m.
October 6
- Alumni Association Executive Board Meeting, Room 1101, 11:00 a.m.
- LDSSA, Room 1103, 11:30 a.m.
- Alumni Association Full Board Meeting, Room 3East, 12:00 p.m.
- Christian Legal Society, Room 402, 12:00 p.m.
- Career Services - Legal Experiences at John Marshall: Clinical and Judicial Externships, Room 1200, 12:45 p.m.
October 7
- Jillin Scholar Westlaw Training, Room 1100, 10:30 a.m.
- ITCC Board Meeting, Room 1101, 12:00 p.m.
- Career Services - Careers in Real Estate Law, Room 201, 5:00 p.m.
October 8
- National Conference of Black Lawyers, Room 1200, 8:00 a.m.
- Multistate Diagnostic Exam, Room 201, 9:00 a.m.
- Tax Law Program Business Meeting, Room 402, 12:00 p.m.
October 9
- Bar Exam Essay Program, Room 409, 8:30 a.m.
- Admissions Open House, Rooms 200 and 201, 10:00 a.m.
- Insights Program, Room 300, 1:30 p.m.