Michael Dockterman’s Post

In June, Eugene Meyer announced that he would be retiring as president and CEO of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies—aka The Federalist Society or FedSoc, the nation’s largest organization of conservative and libertarian lawyers and law students. FedSoc retained CarterBaldwin Executive Search to spearhead the search for Meyer’s successor. And now, according to three sources connected to the Society, that search has been narrowed to five finalists. I profile them in my latest story for Original Jurisdiction. https://bit.ly/47Y0FtA #law #lawyer #lawyers #attorney #attorneys #legalcareer #legalcareers #FederalistSociety #politics #nonprofit #nonprofits #NGO #conservative #libertarian #conservatism #libertarianism #textualism #originalism

Today marks the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruling that declared race-based segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This decision was a major victory for civil rights, setting the stage for future progress. However, the fight for truly equitable education continues as Markus Flynn mentions. Today, nearly 70% of Black students attend highly segregated schools. Furthermore, more than 70% of Black students attend schools that are high-poverty. As a result, many face systemic challenges that impact their psychological development and educational outcomes, which we all know impact upward mobility.

I'm currently attending the #ABAAnnual meeting in Chicago as a member of the Ohio delegation to the House of Delegates. A question that our delegation elder statesman, Bill Weisenberg, always asks us continues to resonate with me as I participate in the house: "Why am I a member of the ABA?" 1. **Connection**: Involvement in the ABA connects me with amazing colleagues across both the state and the country. It allows me to tap into the best of the best in all areas of the law and a variety of experiences and backgrounds. 2. **Legal Education**: Law constantly evolves. Now that I'm in a small firm, having access to ABA's CLE courses keep me ahead of the curve, ensuring I deliver top-notch counsel to my clients. As a member of the Business Law section, the majority of the CLE courses I need are free as part of my membership. 3. **Influence**: The ABA advocates for crucial changes and upholds ethical standards, allowing me to contribute to the future of our profession. As Ohio's Young Lawyer delegate since 2021, I’ve seen our impact firsthand. Last year, I helped draft a resolution for inclusive paid leave policies. Now, I serve on the Gavel Awards committee, highlighting media that educates the public on the rule of law. These reasons also fuel my membership in the Ohio State Bar Association and Women Lawyers of Franklin County. Are you an ABA member? How has it shaped your journey? Thinking of joining? Let's discuss how it can elevate your practice.

Amazing. Would be even better if law firms are actively participating in such initiative as well as EDI structure is sorely missing in practice. Firms say they have EDI structures, but do they really? Who will confirm, and how? The applicability and transferability of the impact of this initiative to the broader practice would be the next step, but one step at a time!

"While you’re in law school, work on strengthening your research and writing skills—especially writing. Go and watch oral arguments; see who the lawyers are and connect with them to talk about their work and how they built their appellate careers." For our last Black History Month profile, meet former Florida First District Court of Appeal judge and TAP mentor Simone Marstiller, Of Counsel at Gunster. Get to know her better at her profile here (https://lnkd.in/es7MnNPi) but enjoy this one excerpt now: Q: What advice would you give to a law student of color who aspires to be where you are now? A: While you’re in law school, work on strengthening your research and writing skills—especially writing. Go and watch oral arguments; see who the lawyers are and connect with them to talk about their work and how they built their appellate careers. Join the student divisions of the voluntary bar associations in your area and start networking. Often, the bar associations will have events honoring or featuring the judges in the area; go to those events (take a classmate with you if you don’t want to go alone) and talk to/get to know the judges. #BlackHistoryMonth #AppellateLinkedIn #RepresentationMatters

Giving Day at Cornell Law School is also Pi Day (3.14)! In honor of all our favorite Pi(e)s (🥧🍕♾️), here are three ways you can be a “piece” of something bigger: 🎓 Fuel scholarship support for talented students. Today, 8 in 10 Cornell Law students receive scholarships and financial aid. As a result, the debt load of students at graduation is lower than it has been in many years. With your support, this exciting trend will continue. 📚 Provide resources to Cornell Law’s unique clinics and practicums. These programs help Cornell Law students acquire the practical skills and experience to represent a diversity of clients in need of legal services. Your support funds 27 specialized clinics and practicums that provide life-changing learning opportunities. 🇺🇸 Support veterans in need of legal services. The Veterans Law Practicum provides a vital service to our community’s veterans. With your help, we can expand our services, and enable students and faculty to increase their caseloads. When we join forces as one Cornell Law community for #CornellGivingDay, we can make a remarkable impact. Join us on Thursday for celebration of the promise and potential of the next generation of Cornell lawyers. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3PcrFNG

"Paul brings exceptional experience to Case Western Reserve—not only as a law scholar but also as an administrative leader responsible for developing critical initiatives that have proven impact,” President Eric W. Kaler said. “I am eager to see all that he can, and will, do to drive our law school forward.” Learn more about Case Western Reserve University School of Law's next dean:

This is a good example to follow

My pre-law, law interested friends! I want to start a club at the high school I work out for aspiring lawyers, and generally students interested in attending law school. What kind of activities would have helped you in high school to understand the law school process? What kind of events would you want to see? What would occur during club meetings? Would you take on leadership positions to promote the club? Would you be willing to organize events? These are general questions! Just need ideas / tips for what would’ve helped you in high school to prepare for law school. Some ideas I have in mind: - checklists for after high school preparation for law school - some LSAT exposure - some application exposure - reviewing pre-law / law scholar programs to apply for in undergraduate - discussing volunteer opportunities (such as the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office) - guest speakers that are lawyers or attended law school, such as students to talk to students about what they can expect - exposure to the jobs students can have with a JD (lawyers, paralegals, etc)

Its really sad the underlying premise here is that certain law schools equal “quality” while the education from other schools (like Harris’) require justification. The simple truth is they aren’t and aren’t intended to be the same product. Sure the title of courses maybe similar and the borders maybe permeable to a small degree, but most law schools focus on teaching you to think like a practicing attorney representing real people and businesses, whereas T-14 grads predominate in higher leveler clerkships, scholarship, and a small group of firms. One of the problems, whether Republican or Democrat, of presidential appointments to courts, particularly the Supreme Court, and even in partisan politics is an overreliance on the same schools and same thinking in most roles. When you read the Supreme Court opinions, with a few notable exceptions, and many other appellate court as well as in public articles and even from Congress, it is oblivious that the perspective of one experienced in actually practicing law for normal people and businesses is missing. That is a lack of diversity is often untalked about. It’s also why, even though their ideological perspectives to not align, I appreciate the opinions written by Justices Soromayor and Barrett.