2023 Spring Edition

Courts & Judiciary

JD Director's Column

By Ms. Tori Jo Wible, Chicago, IL

I’ve been a member of the ABA (on and off) since the days when I was a law student representative back in [redacted]. Why do I keep coming back? That sense of belonging to a group, of collaborating on projects that advance issues I believe in.

Courts & Judiciary

Building the Pipeline: Outreach Efforts during the Midyear Meeting

By Col. Linda Strite Murnane (Ret.), Xenia, OH

Members of the Standing Committee on Diversity in the Judiciary’s were inspired and invigorated by the high school and law students they met during the Midyear Meeting.

Leadership Development

Report of the Judicial Division Nominating Committee

The Judicial Division Nominating Committee hereby reports nominations for positions that will be filled by vote of the membership during the 2023 Annual Meeting.

Litigation & Trials

A Successful Judicial Clerkship Program

The 2023 Judicial Clerkship Program in New Orleans, LA hosted 89 students from 19 schools and over 40 judge volunteers.

Courts & Judiciary

AJC Chair's Column

By Hon. Jacqueline H. Nguyen, Los Angeles, CA

One of the highlights of attending the ABA Midyear Meeting last month for me was the chance to participate again in the annual Judicial Clerkship Program.

Appellate Practice

Council of Appellate Staff Attorneys Chair's Column

By Ms. Cliffie J. Wesson, Dallas, TX

The CASA Board met at Midyear to discuss outreach opportunities, membership efforts, and new AJEI scholarship opportunities for CASA members.

Appellate Practice

Council of Appellate Lawyers Chair's Column

By Ms. Kirsten Castañeda, Dallas, TX

One of the things I love best about CAL is our commitment to not waste time – we have plenty of meaningful work to do, and there are tasks of every size to tackle: from quick to lengthy, building-block to pivotal, bite-size to all-you-can-eat.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

LC Chair's Column

By Mr. Daniel F. Gourash, Westlake, OH

There are excellent, upcoming projects by members of the LC that deserve recognition, including the Supreme Court Admissions Program, resolutions from the Court-Appointed Neutrals Committee, and more.

Federal Government

NCFTJ Chair's Column

By Hon. Willie J. Epps, Jr., Jefferson City, MO

The NCFTJ was established 50 years ago during the 1972 ABA Annual Meeting in San Francisco. For half a century, we have served as the voice of federal trial judges, improving the administration of justice throughout our 94 districts.

Traffic & Drug Courts

NCSCJ Chair's Column

By Hon. Andra Sparks, Birmingham, AL

Change is in the air at the ABA, but a short review of the ABA’s history reveals that the pinnacle legal organization is certainly no stranger to change. Neither is the Judicial Division, which has expanded a few times since its creation in 1913.

Pretrial Practice & Motions

Should Judges Be More Involved With Plea Bargains?

By Hon. Richard Ginkowski, Pleasant Prairie, WI

As concerns have been voiced that jury trials are moving in the direction of extinction, an ABA task force calls for greater transparency, fairness, and scrutiny of plea bargains, and implies that greater judicial oversight may be needed.

Courts & Judiciary

What happens in Vegas….

By Hon. Vivian Medinilla, Wilmington, DE

I met then-Judge Linda Marie Bell in 2013 at a National Conference of State Trial Judges event. She commanded attention as a smart, strong, and vibrant leader. In Judge Bell, I, like any who meet her, saw a winner.

Courts & Judiciary

The NCSTJ Meets at Midyear

By Hon. Christina Klineman, Indianapolis, IN

From the ABA-sponsored jazz band that welcomed you off the plane at the to the shower of festive beads during the Bar President’s parade down Canal street, the Midyear Meeting exemplified the best of New Orleans.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Improving Case Management with the Latest Thinking on Using Court-Appointed Neutrals

Save the date for this CLE Webinar! Making effective use of court-appointed neutrals can expand a judge’s reach, improve the case administration, increase access to justice and reduce parties’ costs and case disposition time.

Administrative Law

NCALJ Chair's Column

By Hon. Patricia B. Miles, San Francisco, CA

As the first African American woman to chair NCALJ, I am inspired by the diverse leadership roles that women hold within the ABA. During the Midyear Meeting, it was my pleasure to connect with current and past female JD leaders.