The Third Annual
Judge Sam H. Bell Trial Advocacy Program
October 30-31, 2014
John F. Seiberling Federal Building & United States Courthouse
2 South Main Street, Akron OH
Register Now!
Judge Bell was a member of Akron Law´s Class of 1952 and was the first Akron Law alumnus to serve on a federal district court. Appointed in 1982 by President Reagan, Judge Bell served on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. He never retired or resigned from the federal bench and remained a federal judge in inactive status until the day he died on December 23, 2010. With the exception of the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Bell sat on every level of the state and federal court systems by election, appointment or assignment. Judge Bell also served on the Board of the Federal Judges Association.
This year´s Judge Bell Trial Advocacy Program is the third annual major advocacy training program/CLE in honor of Judge Bell. Modeled on the Inns of Court, which were so important to Judge Bell, this program will bring together federal and state court judges, experienced trial lawyers and more junior lawyers for intensive practicum experiences. This year’s program will focus on effective communication by attorneys during opening statements and closing arguments.
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A unique and interactive opportunity to refresh and reinvigorate your trial advocacy skills
Made possible by The Honorable Sam H. Bell (’52) Fund for Advancement for Legal Advocacy
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2014
7:15 a.m. Registration and Contintental Breakfast
(B3 Conference Room in the Federal Courthouse)
8:00 a.m. Welcome Remarks
William S. Jordan, III, Associate Dean
The University of Akron School of Law
Mrs. Jennie Bell
8:15 a.m. The Court’s Perspective
The Honorable Sara Lioi, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
8:30 a.m. Panel Discussion: Effective Communication by Attorneys –
what works and what doesn’t work?
A candid conversation with recent jurors.
Moderator: Professor Emeritus J. Dean Carro, The University of Akron School of Law
9:45 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. Featured Speaker: Theoretical Foundations of Effective Communication
David L. Jamison, J.D., Provost & Senior Vice President, Academic Affairs, and Professor of Communications, Robert Morris University
Moderator: Judge Steven D. Bell
11:30 a.m. Lunch
12:15 p.m. Practicum: Opening Statements
(See Special Program Note. Groups will be assigned to courtrooms in the Federal Courthouse)
2:15 p.m. Break
2:30 p.m. Practicum: Opening Statements Resume
4:30 p.m. Adjournment
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2014
7:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast (B3 Conference Room)
Welcome Remarks
Matthew J. Wilson, Dean
The University of Akron School of Law
8:15 a.m. Practicum: Closing Arguments
(See Special Program Note. Groups will be assigned to courtrooms in the Federal Courthouse)
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Practicum: Closing Arguments Resume
1:00 p.m. Adjournment
Special Program Note: This year’s Judge Bell Program requires attendees to actively participate in the program. Approximately one month prior to the program, all attendees will be given the same highly interesting fictional civil case for which they will prepare and present a 10 – 15 minute opening statement and closing argument. A panel of judges, experienced attorneys and jurors/lay people will offer feedback and critique for both the opening statements and closing arguments. Participating Judges (as of 9/12/2014)
• The Honorable Jeffrey J. Helmick, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
• The Honorable Dan Aaron Polster, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
• The Honorable Kathleen B. Burke, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
• The Honorable James R. Knepp, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
• The Honorable Nancy A. Vecchiarelli, Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
• The Honorable Jane Bond, retired Judge, Summit County Court of Common Pleas
• The Honorable Alison McCarty, Judge, Summit County Court of Common Pleas
• The Honorable Thomas Teodosio, Judge, Summit County Court of Common Pleas
Program Information
Program Fee: Includes CLE programming, breakfast, light snacks and beverages during breaks on both days, and lunch on Thursday. $350 per person for applications received by October 15, 2014; $500 per person for applications received after October 15, 2014.
Scholarships to attend the program are available. Scholarship requests should be directed to Shannon Aupperle at sfauppe@uakron.edu
CLE Credits: 11.50 CLE hours will be requested for Ohio. CLE credit requests for other states will be facilitated upon request. (NOTE: please include such requests on registration form).
Seminar Site:The entire program will take place in the courtrooms and conference room at the John F. Seiberling Building & United States Courthouse, 2 South Main Street, Akron Ohio. Parking is available in several nearby parking garages.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Shannon Aupperle
The University of Akron School of Law
Akron, OH 44325-2901
330-972-7988 (Phone) • 330-258-2343 (Fax)
sfauppe@uakron.edu / www.uakron.edu/law