I’ll be on-site at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass for the entire event, from Wednesday through Friday, June 15-17. If you can make it, look for me strolling among seminars and special events. But if you can’t attend, tell me which events or seminars you’d like me to cover—live and in-person. Tell me what you’re interested in, and I’ll try to cover it in my Convention Daily updates. Follow all of the updates and links to stories through Twitter. And follow the action via the Convention hashtag: #azbarcon
And if you want to cover an event yourself as a bylined author or guest blogger, contact me at arizona.attorney@azbar.org. Or if your skill is shooting photos, contact me too; we may be able to share them with Arizona’s legal community.
In the coming days, I’ll share some previews of the seminars that will be presented at Convention. Maybe that will spur your interest even more.
Among the positive developments in this year’s Convention is the evolution of the use of seminar tracks. Those focus areas may help you decide where to focus your time and attention. Here is a list of all the tracks.
Before we exit May, I share with you my editor’s letter from that issue of Arizona Attorney Magazine. It referred to the incredible lawyer–artists who populate the issue’s pages, comprising our annual Creative Arts Competition (See the whole issue here). What do you think of this year’s amazing artists? And what role do artistic interests play in your own life? Write to me at arizona.attorney@azbar.org.
In Chicago back in the late ‘80s, I had a friend who attended an Iggy Pop concert. Through strategy and sharp elbows, she managed to reach the front ranks of the pulsating crowd and stand—OK, quake with joy—right next to the stage. During the show, she reports, Iggy knelt down and licked her palm. Because Iggy.
She claimed she would never again wash that hand. In the office, she would hold out the sacred appendage, aimed skyward for all to see, the invisible stigmata transporting her to new heights.
What makes someone set aside good sense and hygiene for its colorful opposite, I wondered? What neurons does Iggy Pop make pop in people’s brains?
I was reminded of that graphic story of palm-love as we prepared this issue—and as I read a magazine (of course) published by American Airlines. “American Way” is beautiful (even if it has a vaguely unsettling title). But its beauty is more than skin-deep, for within the current issue is a Q&A with two rock stars, one of whom is the craggy, talented, and ever-punkish Iggy.
He was spreading the word about a musical collaboration with Josh Homme, founder of Queens of the Stone Age. And as impressive as Iggy Pop may be, I was struck by one of Homme’s insights:
“I’ve always loved infiltration. To me, that’s what punk rock has always been about: going where you don’t belong without anyone noticing until it’s too late. … It’s a pleasure to wander in this historic place, set up shop and say, ‘The elegant scumbags are in town.’ It feels good sometimes to be the most rogue person there.”
Infiltration. That may be what Pop’s got popping.
When Homme spoke of a “historic place,” he did not mean Arizona Attorney Magazine, though he could have. Like Detroit’s Fox Theatre, where the two musicians played, AzAt has great bones, sharp looks, and a storied past. But infiltration is not our usual fare.
Except in May. In May we open the doors—main stage and balcony—to creative talents who showcase their art and—more important—the rogue portions of their brains. They rattle the chandeliers and kick over some furniture. Occasionally, a guitar is smashed.
I hope you share my pleasure at the thrill of artists in full concert. Congratulations and thanks to all those who submitted and all those who prevailed in our annual competition. They truly are all winners—brave infiltrators who are conversant with the rogue.
Come on in, find a spot. Reach toward the stage, for the house lights are dimming …
Ernesto Miranda, and the case named for him, remain a subject of scrutiny.
A luncheon seminar this Thursday, May 26, offers to tell “The Inside Story of Miranda v. Arizona.” Of course, the only way to discover how much you know (and don’t know) about the landmark case is to attend the event hosted by Los Abogados.
Presenters:
Hon. Barry G. Silverman, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
Hon. Bridget S. Bade, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
The Camby Hotel in Phoenix will be the site of what looks to be a valuable lawyer roundtable on Thursday, May 26.
We routinely consider the modern challenges that face attorneys and their law practices. But those challenges vary considerably depending on your practice type, firm size, and client base.
That is part of the strategy behind a roundtable discussion this Thursday evening, May 26. Attorney David French, who is also a broad thinker about the legal economy and legal future, will moderate a group of lawyers from diverse practices.
Gathering starting at 5:00 pm at the Camby Hotel in Phoenix, participants range from those in global law firms, to regional (southwest) law firms, to primarily Arizona operations, and even those who have crafted profitable practices as small firms.
Of course, litigation is rarely a barrel of monkeys. But on this Change of Venue Friday, take a moment to marvel at the wonders of a deposition. Part of the “Verbatim” series that I’ve mentioned before, the video is a production of the New York Times. Yes, it casts actors, and yes, it’s a movie set. But the script? Taken verbatim from depositions in civil litigation.
In a New York Times video drawn from a real deposition transcript, a poultry farmer gets his beak out of joint.
As the editors describe the project:
“The series, presented by Op-Docs, transforms verbatim (word for word) legal transcripts into dramatic, and often comedic, performances. Here you will find re-creations of actual events from the halls of law and government. You, our readers, can help us find material for future episodes. Have you come across court trials, depositions or government hearings that you think are surprising, bizarre or baffling—and lend themselves to performance? We especially seek original, publicly available transcripts, along with details about the source. Email us at opinion.video@nytimes.com and include “Verbatim” in the subject line.”
The video I share today depicts a 2001 case that sounds in trespass and tort. There, a Mississippi man sued a lumber company for damaging his chicken pasture. He sought $300,000.
Sounds normal enough? It kind of goes south at 01:23, when he asserts that he knows where Osama bin Laden was in the world. And it gets worse.
Let’s just say the deponent went a little free-range himself. Enjoy the video.
Have a wonderful—and poultry-free—weekend.
Faced with a bird-crazed deponent, the attorney rethinks his life choices. (Been there?)
Typically, law schools stay planted in a spot for, I don’t know, an eternity. So it’s definitely news that the ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law is moving to downtown Phoenix this year.
But that means they are leaving behind their home since the school was founded in 1968. And that means a party.
Tomorrow, Friday, May 20, the school invites “alumni, friends, supporters, faculty, staff, and current students to come together for a day of festivities to celebrate the past and prepare for the move to the Arizona Center for Law and Society in downtown Phoenix. We will also honor Professor David Kader as he retires after 36 years on the ASU Law faculty and 41 years as a law professor.”
The “toast and roast” to the old building will be preceded by actual educational offerings (where lunch will be served to those attending those offerings). I’ve included the agenda and offerings below.
When: Friday, May 20, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (lunch will be provided)
Where: Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, ASU, Willard H. Pedrick Great Hall, Room 113
ASU Law School’s Armstrong Hall
Schedule of Events
10 a.m. Check-In & Registration Opens
11 a.m. Welcome | CLE with “Founding Faculty” | Lunch
Michael Berch, Emeritus Professor of Law, “The Two Functions of Judicial Decisions: Stare Decisis and Res Judicata Discussion: Analysis of Rush v. Maple Heights”
The Honorable William C. Canby Jr., United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, “On Teaching Constitutional Law: Then (1968-1980) and Now”
Alan Matheson, Emeritus Dean, “Confirmation Hearings for Supreme Court Justices: Running the Gauntlet”
Jonathan Rose, Emeritus Professor of Law, “History of Contract Law”
2:30 p.m. Toast & Roast to Armstrong Hall
3:30 p.m. Event Reception & Retirement Celebration for David Kader, Emeritus Professor of Law
Think Millennials are a challenge? Here comes Generation Z.
As we scan the business and law practice landscape, there is one segment that appears to be the most coveted and baffling. Of course, I’m talking about the Millennial generation, whose qualities and foibles are argued to be incredibly unique. To meet that generation, it is suggested, you need to relearn basic human interactions. And if you hope to engage that generation, entire paradigms must shift.
If you detect a touch of skepticism in my tone, you must possess a Boomer-trained sense of snark. And it’s true that my extensive interactions with Millennials tell me they seek transparency, candor, and generally less B.S. than previous generations may have been led to expect. Well, bully for them, to use an old-school phrase. (And bully for all of us older folks who agree with the Millennials on that.)
A free webinar on May 25 (1:00 pm EDT) will offer some insight into those colleagues who are of the younger generations. As organizers describe:
“One of the biggest challenges faced by business owners today is attracting and retaining great people. Millennials make up an enormous part of today’s workforce, and survey after survey finds that this generation values flexibility as much and sometimes more than compensation.”
Gene Marks
Columnist, author, business owner, and technology expert Gene Marks will cover:
How trends and regulations in minimum wage, paid time off, and overtime will impact your ability to find and motivate millennial employees.
The newest and innovative cloud based technologies that are helping companies of all sizes recruit, manage, compensate and make them more attractive to the millennial workforce.
The latest developments in healthcare reform that are most important to millennials and how smart employers are controlling their healthcare costs in 2016 while continuing to be competitive in the job market.
Loyal to the democratic process? You may want to vote in a Bar election before it closes Wednesday afternoon.
[Note: This post was corrected to indicate that voting is done not on the State Bar website but via a link and credentials emailed directly to each affected Arizona attorney.]
Many of you may have done your civic duty and voted on some high-profile statewide propositions. But did you know that if you are an Arizona-admitted attorney in certain counties, you should be voting in another election too—one that determines who will sit on the State Bar Board of Governors?
And that online election closes at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, May 18.
As the State Bar says:
“An election will be held this year to elect one member each from District 1 (Apache, Coconino, Mohave, and Navajo Counties), District 3 (Gila, Graham, and Greenlee Counties), District 4 (Cochise County), and District 7 (La Paz and Yuma Counties). Three members from District 5 (Pima and Santa Cruz Counties) will also be elected. Each elected member will serve a three-year term starting this June.”
Finally, in order to cast your ballot, see the email sent directly to you from State Bar CEO John Phelps. That email contains a link to the ballot and your specific credentials to do so.
Board members of the Arizona Asian American Bar Association for 2016-17 (photographed at C-Fu Gourmet, Chandler, Ariz., April 14, 2016.
Back on April 14, the Arizona Asian American Bar Association hosted its 20th scholarship fundraiser and installation banquet. It was as remarkable and delicious as ever. In fact, this event broke all records, as about 450 people crowded into C-Fu Gourmet in Chandler to collaborate and hear from great speakers such as Incoming State Bar President Lisa Loo.
The BLI 2015-16 graduating class. From left to right: Seated: Edward Myers III, Ivan Hannel, Rekha Nair, Sandra Bensley, Juan Flamand, Donielle Wright Standing: Virjinya Torrez, Jamiel Allen, Kristina Guerrero-Sisneroz, Pouria Paknejad, Mae Innabi, Candy Marrufo, Rebekah Bell, Kristin Whitaker, Alanna Duong Not pictured: Joanna Reihing
One week ago, a smart group of people graduated from the Bar Leadership Institute of the State Bar of Arizona. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Above is a photo of the BLI 2015-16 graduating class.
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing many of the BLI’s graduates since its start in 2007, and I am routinely impressed by their talents and their accomplishments. Which takes me to today’s reminder: Applications for the 2016-2017 Bar Leadership class are now being accepted, through June 17.
You should note that you may urge someone to apply, and you may apply yourself. And if you’re curious about whether you or others are a good fit for this BLI thing, read the information below.
The Bar Leadership Institute is a nine-month professional development program whose mission is to foster the professional growth and enhance the leadership skills of a diverse and inclusive group of lawyers.
Since its inception in 2007, the BLI has prepared more than 100 diverse attorneys for leadership positions within the Bar and the community-at-large. Program sessions cover a variety of topics including leadership development, ethics and career development and include conversations with judges, government attorneys, in house counsels and executives. Each participant in the class of approximately 15 students receives:
Up to two years of CLE credit
Leadership training and legal practice education in an experiential and mentoring learning environment
Opportunities to foster relationships within the State Bar of Arizona, partner bar associations, government and community leaders
Participation in the program is limited to attorneys with active status with the State Bar of Arizona. Program fee is $250; fee waivers are available for participants with a demonstrated financial need. Upon completion of the BLI, participants commit to one year participation in a State Bar committee or section or other professional association or community organization.
The BLI relies on referrals from lawyers and community leaders and applications by great candidates. Please share this with whomever you think would benefit from this transformative experience.
For detail on getting a smoking deal on a hotel room during the convention, go here.
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