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    October 01, 2024 Appellate Judges Conference

    Council of Appellate Staff Attorneys Chair's Column

    Jessica Ballard-Barnett

    Over the last year, I have enjoyed the privilege to serve as the Chair of the Council of Appellate Staff Attorneys (CASA).  In this position, I have had the honor to help plan and implement very exciting initiatives, some of which I’ve highlighted in past columns.  However, CASA’s biggest project is planning for the Appellate Judges Education Institute (AJEI) Summit, taking place this year November 14 to 17 in Boston, Massachusetts.

    As many know, the AJEI Summit is the pinnacle of appellate education, featuring broad topics for judges, staff attorneys, law clerks, and private appellate attorneys, as well as nuanced breakout discussions applicable to specific groups.  The AJEI Summit has many exciting general sessions, including “How Adversary Nations Can Erode Public Trust in America’s Legal System,” “Beyond the Gavel: Ethics and Wellness for the Legal Community,” and “When States Litigate, and How to Encourage (or Discourage) State Involvement in a Case.”  And, of course, attendees will be treated to the annual Supreme Court update from Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of University of California’s Berkeley School of Law.  Please see the AJEI Summit website for more details.  

    Just before the AJEI Summit, panels of CASA members, joined by a few members of the Council of Appellate Lawyers and the Appellate Judges Conference, will visit law schools in the Boston area to speak to students about appellate work. The visits will occur on Wednesday and Thursday, November 13 and 14, before the AJEI Summit begins at noon that Thursday.  Our panels will focus on public service careers (such as career law clerk and staff attorney), private appellate practice, and the appellate bench.  Students can ask questions about specific careers and get first-hand knowledge of the appellate process.  There are quite a few law schools in Boston, and we hope to present at several of them.  Please email me at the address below if you are interested in joining us on a panel.

    In addition to the excellent programming, the AJEI Summit offers many opportunities for members of the appellate legal community to gather.  CASA’s annual T-Shirt Dinner will be at The Hub Pub.  The casual dinner – this year to include skee ball and pool – is an opportunity for everyone to relax and get to know other members of the legal community a little better.  Judges, staff attorneys, law clerks, and private appellate attorneys are all invited – bring a t-shirt from a state or national park to trade!  Sign up for the dinner.  Hope to see you there!

    On a personal note, I have really enjoyed my time as CASA Chair.  I have appreciated the opportunity to form relationships with other members of the appellate community and collaborate with them to improve the appellate judiciary.  I thank the CASA Board members for their support – many of us are new to CASA leadership, and the guidance of past Board members has been very valuable.  CASA is small but mighty, and I look forward to continuing both the good work we’ve started during my time as Chair and the initiatives we’ve continued from past Chairs.

    As mentioned above, CASA membership is a valuable tool for all staff attorneys and law clerks.  There are many opportunities and benefits available as part of CASA membership, such as the opportunities to share experiences, participate in program planning, and receive discounts on ABA-sponsored CLEs.  To inquire about CASA membership, please contact me at [email protected].  I look forward to hearing from you!

    Jessica Ballard-Barnett

    2023-2024 Chair, AJC Council of Appellate Staff Attorneys

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