The Informant
February 16, 2010
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Program on disability issues February 16
On Tuesday, February 16, Mitchell (Mitch) Pomerantz, President of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and an active member of the organization for over 25 years, will be joining Dr. Otis Stephens’ Disability Law class at 1 p.m. in Room 237 of the College of Law. He will be discussing a wide range of disability issues, including those in which the ACB has taken an active part.
On Wednesday, February 17, at 12 p.m. in the Faculty Lounge Pomerantz will lead a discussion of the role of ACB as a major player in the disability rights field.
In his capacity as President of ACB, a national organization with more than 20,000 members, over 70 state affiliates, and hundreds of local chapters, Mr. Pomerantz oversees a 16-member Board of Directors and the activities of 25 committees and task forces charged with carrying out the work of the organization.
As the first totally blind person to be hired in a professional capacity by the City of Los Angeles and holding a variety of positions in his tenure of over 30 years, including that of ADA Compliance Officer, Mr. Pomerantz was instrumental in coordinating city-wide compliance with the American with Disabilities Act as well as conducting training and providing technical assistance to city departments.
As a private consultant, Mr. Pomerantz specializes in the areas of disability awareness and reasonable accommodation in the workplace, having served as a trainer for the internationally recognized “Windmills” attitudinal awareness program.
Douglass Moot Court Team performs well at regionals
At the start of the Spring semester, the College of Law’s Frederick Douglass Moot Court Team (consisting of Erin Raines and Ryan Wilson, both 2Ls) competed in the Southern BLSA region competition in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
They did an outstanding job of representing the College of Law. In the first round, they argued on brief as Respondents and were peppered with question by the judges. During the critiques the judges completed the team on their skills and knowledge and use of the appellate record. The second round found them arguing off brief as Petitioners. This round the bench did not ask many questions. Erin and Ryan nonetheless gave superior performances. In the third round of the competition, the team again argued on brief and their many hours of preparation and practice paid off as they displayed some of the most effective mooting of the competition. The judges noted such after the round, during the critiques.
The team then advanced to the round of 16 and argued before a local criminal court judge. This judge asked long, nuanced and pointed questions. Her real-world experience was apparent as she knew the leading judicial precedents on search and seizure, due process and sentencing law. She pressed both teams for specific answers, even when the law provided for none. Despite their heroic efforts, Erin and Ryan did not advance.
Please congratulate both Ryan and Erin on a spectacularly well done job. They continued the strong tradition of the College in the competition, learned a lot and ultimately had a good time. Many thanks to the law school community for the encouragement and assistance in preparing for the competition.
Bill Landry speaks at Baker Center
Bill Landry of the WBIR Heartland Series will speak at the Baker Center Thursday, Feb. 18, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Toyota Auditorium. The program is free and open to the public.
Burnett Inn of Court presentation
On February 9, the UT College of Law student members of the Hamilton Burnett Inn of Court gave a presentation to the Inn on “The Future of the Legal Profession,” covering topics as wide-ranging as virtual law offices and the future market for associates in private firms. The students include: Katie Atkins, Kathryn Ellis, Matt Fink, Jason Hinson, Jennifer Leigh, Jennifer Milam, Lillian Napper, Rachel Stevens, Alicia Teubert, Malaka Watson, and Ashley White. The program was exceptionally well received by the Inn members, who include federal and state judges, law practitioners from a variety of settings, and law professors. UT Law faculty members in the Inn include Professors Barton, Heminway, and White. Handouts for the program (which include excellent information about current and proposed law practice and related legal ethics issues) are available from Prof. White (in a box outside her office).
Career Center's annual Etiquette Workshop and Dinner
As a warm up for their future "high stakes" social engagements, UT law students gathered at the Career Center’s annual etiquette workshop and dinner, "Socializing With Ease," on February 8 at the Howard Baker Center for Public Policy. The event was co-sponsored by LexisNexis. Mary Mahoney, the assistant director of career services for UT’s main campus, presented an hour-long program on the essentials of business etiquette in social settings and how to network at events like this. To enhance the learning experience, several third-year students posed as attorneys of a fictional firm in order to give first- and second- year students a chance to test their networking skills; they included Roderick Adams, Scott Jarvis, Beth Vaughan, Brad Vaughan, and Tom Whitworth. Thanks go out to all in attendance. Photos
Authors of Asylum Denied to discuss their book here March 1
On Monday, March 1, 2010, David Ngaruri Kenney and Philip G. Shrag will be coming to the law school to speak during the free hour about their book Asylum Denied. Asylum Denied is the gripping story of political refugee David Ngaruri Kenney's harrowing odyssey through the world of immigration processing in the United States. The event will take place in Room 132, and the authors will be available to speak and sign the books afterwards.
FACULTY
From Greg Stein, Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Prof. Penny White recently presented a program to the Georgia judiciary on recent constitutional criminal procedure cases from the United States Supreme Court. The program included an update on all cases decided by the United States Supreme Court involving the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth amendments. Third-year law student Andrew Whaley helped Professor White with the research for her presentation.
Professor White also spoke to the Tennessee Bar Association Law Leadership Class (TBALL) on the costs of leadership. Professor White joined attorneys Gordon Bonnyman and Hal Hardin of Nashville to discuss leadership experiences that had personal and professional costs. TBALL is a flagship project of the Tennessee Bar Association. Under this program, lawyers from across the state undergo an intensive leadership training program with the goal of creating a core of leading lawyers committed to future service as leaders in the legal profession and the state.
Prof. Dean Rivkin was a panelist for a Feb. 9 discussion on “Connecting Water Issues to Regional Policy” at the Baker Center. Panelists discussed how water issues presented in other H2Oh! events are relevant to our region; what state, local and community organizations are doing about these issues; what the challenges are to resolving those issues; and where we go from here. H2Oh! is a Baker Center program.
Prof. Reba Best’s new book, Tennessee State Documents: A Bibliography of State Publications and Related Materials, was recently published by William S. Hein Publishers. Her book is part of the Occasional Papers, American Association of Law Libraries, State Documents Bibliography Series. The publication includes citations to both print and electronic information. Commercially published titles are included that complement the state documents.
STUDENTS
Mandatory 1L registration meeting March 3
A mandatory meeting for all 1Ls regarding Fall 2010 registration will be held Wednesday, March 3, from 12:15 until 1:35 in Room 132. Bag lunches will be provided; bring your own beverage. The Registration Bidding System will be discussed.
Lipscomb Institute program offers tuition discount
On Thursday, February 18, at noon, in Room 241, faculty from the Institute for Conflict Management will conduct an informational session for law students interested in combining a course of study in conflict management with their legal studies. The College of Law and Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution has entered into an agreement with the Institute for Conflict Management at David Lipscomb University which allows law students to pursue a Masters degree in Conflict Management from Lipscomb at the same time that they are pursuing their Juris Doctor degree. Law students who enroll in the conflict management program will receive a 50% discount on tuition rates.
If you are interested in broadening your knowledge of negotiation, mediation, facilitation, collaboration,and other forms of conflict resolution, plan to attend the upcoming preview session about the program. The session will include a description of the program, which is the southeast's premiere program in conflict resolution, and will feature the lead professors from the Institute for Conflict Management. Lunch will be provided.
Third Annual 1L Advocacy Idol Competition
It’s that time again! The Third Annual 1L Advocacy Idol competition will be held on Wednesday, March 17 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Room 132. First-year law students, coached by second- and third-year students, will compete by presenting five-minute opening statements to a panel of federal and state judges. After preliminary rounds, six finalists will be chosen, and from these finalists, the panel of judges will determine which first-year student will be named the Third Annual 1L Advocacy Idol. No advance preparation is required. Following the competition, first-year participants, their coaches, and the judges will have dinner together and discuss ways to improve advocacy skills. Cash prizes and certificates will be awarded at the dinner. The competition not only serves as an introduction to the Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Concentration, but is also a great way to prepare for Legal Process II oral arguments. Interested first-year students should sign up by emailing Norene Napper at nnapper@utk.edu. The competition is limited to the first twenty-four first-year students who sign up. Students with questions about the competition may contact either Norene Napper or Prof. Penny White at pwhite@utk.edu.
2010 Spring Hooding
Spring '10 Hooding information, including hotel accommodations.
Book research assistance needed
Professor Ben Barton is looking for a student research assistant to help with book research on the possible uses of technology and logistics to streamline current court procedures. Interest in and/or understanding of technology a plus. Please email a statement of interest and a resume to bbarton@utk.edu.
Research Assistant needed
A Research Assistant is needed to work approximately 10 to 15 hours per week. Research will be in the area of immigration and asylum law. Students interested in the position should send a resume, current transcript and writing sample to Professor Karla McKanders at mckanders@utk.edu. Any questions regarding the position can be sent by email or telephone at (865) 974-5710.
Employee benefits writing competition
The American College of Employee Benefits Counsel is accepting entries for its 2010 law student writing competition. Details.
Bankruptcy Law Writing Competition
The Bankruptcy Litigation Committee of the American Bankruptcy Institute ("ABI") invites students to participate in its Second Annual ABI Bankruptcy Law Student Writing Competition. First, Second and Third Place prizes, which include cash, an ABI membership, and publication in an ABI periodical, will be awarded. The Competition takes place from Jan. 1, 2010, through March 1, 2010. Submissions must be a minimum of 10 pages and a maximum of 12 pages long. To be eligible, each submission must be reviewed by a law professor prior to submission to ensure quality and must be accompanied by written confirmation from the reviewing professor that the paper has been so reviewed. Prof. Kuney is available to review and comment on proposed submissions. For more information, click here.
Environmental writing competition underway
The TBA Environmental Law Section has announced the 2010 Jon E. Hastings Memorial Award writing competition for law student members of the section. The competition is held each year in memory of one of the section's most outstanding founding members and has a cash prize pool of $1,200. It is a juried competition for the best legal writing on a topic related to Tennessee or federal environmental law. Entries are due March 27.
Learn more about the contest.
Education Law writing contest
Entries are being sought for the 2010 George Jay Joseph
Education Law Writing Award. Learn more about the contest.
Affordable Housing writing competition
An annual writing competition through the ABA for the Affordable Housing Forum is accepting papers from students through March 12. Click here and then the "Writing Competition" link on the left side.
CAREER SERVICES
Upcoming programs offered through the Bettye B. Lewis Career Center:
The Business of Practicing Law Workshop Series for Law Students
Recognition of the need to educate law students about the "business side" of legal practice led to a successful collaboration between the College of Law and the Knoxville Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators. The Business of Practicing Law workshops, taught by teams of KALA members and practicing attorneys, provide practical information and advice for law students who have accepted positions with law firms or are considering a career in a law firm setting.
All workshops are offered from noon – 1 p.m. in Room 132, College of Law. The topics, dates and speakers for the full series are:
Practicing Profitably (Monday, February 15): Debbie Stevens and Bill Kunkel, Lewis, King, Krieg & Waldrop
Succeeding in the Summer Clerkship (Tuesday, February 23): Randy Miller, Woolf, McClane, Bright, Allen & Carpenter, with law students panelists
Participants can expect to learn the following:
-- to recognize the varied roles that lawyers play in a law firm environment and the skills needed to excel in these roles;
-- to identify work habits that will enable them to be both effective and efficient lawyers;
-- to understand expectations legal employers have of associates, past the knowledge and understanding of substantive law they learn in the classroom;
-- to grasp the role of technology in the legal workplace;
-- to be exposed to the basic concepts of law firm finance; and
-- to be given context for consideration of work/life balance issues, of helping others as an attorney, and of crafting a career that will lead to a satisfied life.
No pre-registration is required. Law students and candidates admitted to the law school for 2010 are invited to participate. The series is coordinated by KALA officer Kathy Scourby, Hunton & Williams, and the Bettye B. Lewis Career Center staff.
Other programs:
-- "New World of Legal Recruitment: Success Strategies from Recruitment Administrators," Wednesday, Feb. 17, 12-1 p.m., Room 132.