Two Yoots, You Can't Handle The Truth, Gideon's Trumpet . . . TUFTS TRIVIA NIGHT APRIL 29TH (Free Event)!

TLA has been blessed with an amazing series of programs this year featuring Tufts Judges, confronting racial disparities, and guiding our law student members on what law school doesn't teach.  

TLA's New England Steering Committee wanted to change things up a bit and schedule a Legal Trivia Night to have some fun and get to know each other.  The trivia night is scheduled for Thursday, April 29th at 7PM ET.  It will be led by the experienced online trivia team at Geeks Who Drink and I understand it will focus on legal trivia.  

The event is open to all so please join us for this complementary event!  

REGISTER

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Questions/Comments: Contact TLA President, Tom Dunn, A00 at rtdunn@PierceAtwood.com

Keep on Swinging!

Judge Andre Birotte, U.S. District Court Judge for the Central District of California, charmed the 40+ TLA members and guests during the April 7, 2021 Tufts Judicial Series virtual event.  He was candid, energetic, and inspirational with his comments and advice to TLA members.  I am sure I am not the only one who was proud to call him a fellow Jumbo!  

TLA moderators, Lori Liu and Soo Park, asked Judge Birotte a wide range of questions from his time at Tufts, his decision to venture across the country to attend law school in California (from New Jersey after Tufts), his first positions in private practice, his service as a defense lawyer, U.S. Attorney, inspector general, and finally as a U.S. District Court Judge.  Judge Birotte brought both humor and seriousness to his answers for a memorable program.  

Just a few takeaways for me included:

• Importance of different backgrounds to serve in all aspects of the judicial branch of government.  Judge Birotte expressed his strong belief that it is important to have as many different backgrounds and perspectives serving in all positions of the judicial system -- judges, prosecutors, public defense attorneys.This includes representation in all aspects including gender, race, and other experiences.  He said judgment is critical in the criminal justice system and having the divergent perspectives aids in the best outcome.  He noted that there is recent discussion from President Biden that in his judicial appointments he is looking to diversify the federal judiciary and, in so explaining what he meant, he identified considering federal public defenders (which are unrepresented on the bench at present).   
• Criminal sentencing.  Judge Birotte expressed the sense of responsibility he feels when he issues a criminal sentence. That is one of the most challenging parts of being a Judge.  
• Developing skills of junior attorneys.  Judge Birotte explained he has a standing order whereby oral argument will be granted to parties if counsel commits to having a more junior attorney argue a motion before him.  This is to encourage opportunities for younger and junior attorneys.  He also talked about the strong bond he has with his externs and clerks.  He encouraged those interested in clerkships to "spread the net widely" and be flexible regarding locations to obtain the clerkship experience.  
  

Finally, throughout his remarks, one theme was to keep on swinging for opportunities.  Judge Birotte expressed all attorneys should be deliberate about seeking out opportunities and to be energetic and purposeful about making it known that you are available to assist.  Judge Birotte's work ethic produced the success story of his diverse and interesting career path.  Thank you to Judge Birotte for sharing your story with us.  

If you missed the April 7 program, we recorded it and it will be available in a few weeks.  I will post it on this website for all to view.  

Tom Dunn, A00

TLA President

rtdunn@PierceAtwood.com

TLA's Opt-In Directory -- sign-up and/or update your information by April 16th

We plan to update TLA's opt-in directory every quarter.  If you have not already signed up for our directory or your information has changed, please do so by Friday April 16th.  

Our objective of this directory is to create a resource for TLA members for referrals and/or expanding their network.  The directory is published on TLA's webpage and available to the public at large.  It is a way to show your support and membership in the Tufts Lawyers Association.  

Contact me to learn more about the directory and TLA.

Tom Dunn, A00

TLA President 

rtdunn@PierceAtwood.com

TLA Law Student Program -- What Law School Doesn't Teach (April 14th at 8PM ET / 5PM PT)

 Register Here

The Tufts Lawyers Association's membership includes law students.  One of our core missions is to provide educational and career development programs and events for the future Jumbo Lawyers!  Along those lines, we asked two law students to serve a the TLA Law Student Liaisons last year.  Those liaisons are:

• Abraham Bran, Southwestern Law School
• Liam Cronan, Boston University School of Law

With the help of TLA Board Member and Chair of our Mentorship Committee, Amy Cococcia, Abe and Liam planned a fabulous virtual event for April 14th on What Law School Doesn't Teach.  The event will give attendees an early glimpse of what practice looks like outside the classroom.  

If you want to learn more about the TLA or its law student group, please contact me.  

Tom Dunn, A00

TLA President

rtdunn@PierceAtwood.com 

Legal Career in Health Care & Biotechnology -- Law Day on the Hill 2021

On March 4, 2021, TLA held its 19th Law Day on the Hill.  We had a dynamic panel of Tufts Alumni members who practice in the health care and biotechnology industries.  If you missed the program live, you can watch it here:

After the panel discussion, we engaged with students and alumni in breakout rooms focused on various practice areas and law school.  While we missed being on campus for the event, my typical annual trip, it was great to give back and share our experiences with the amazing Jumbo undergrads!

Thank you to our Law Day on the Hill Co-Chairs, Melissa John and Dara Lynn Freytag, and planning committee members for a memorable virtual Law Day.  

Enjoy the Program! 

Tom Dunn, TLA President
rtdunn@PierceAtwood.com

Voting is Open for Tufts Trustee and Council Representatives!

TLA has a long history of active members within the Tufts Alumni Council and Board of Trustees.  We thank our fellow members and #JumboAttorneys for their service for the benefit of Tufts.  

Voting is very accessible this year.  In the past, each alumni received a unique email, but this year voting can be done through a shared link confirmed by the email address on file with Tufts University.  

VOTE TODAY

CLICK HERE

Shape the future and success of Tufts by voting!   Voting closes on April 18, 2021.   

TLA's 19th Law Day on the Hill is This Thursday, March 4, 2021 -- Still Time to Register!

When I was at Tufts (2000 grad), I remember going to an evening event that was hosted by some local law firms and Tufts Career Services about the working in the legal industry.  It was a fun and memorable program where I had the opportunity to meet practicing attorneys and evaluate career options -- both short term and long term.  That event led my to apply to some of the local law firms for paralegal positions after I graduated.  

A couple of years after I graduated, probably the same core group of Tufts lawyers who saw the benefit of creating a network of Tufts attorneys started Law Day on the Hill -- an annual event where Tufts Alumni in the legal field come back to campus to talk about the practice of law with Tufts students.  Law Day has occurred every year since 2002 in late February or early March.  Each year, we have one or two program co-chairs that plan and moderate the meeting.  

This year, our Law Day Co-Chairs, Melissa John and Dara Lynn Freytag have an amazing virtual Law Day on the Hill planned.  While we cannot roam campus this year, we do have the added flexibility of inviting TLA members wherever located to attend. The program will have two parts:

First, a panel discussion about law practice in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors.  We have four amazing panelists from different areas of the legal healthcare sector, including a member of Pfizer's Covid-19 team (Suzan Levin)!  The panelists will talk about their career paths and what it is like to practice in the healthcare industry.  

Second, we will have time for two different networking breakout sessions.  The breakout rooms will be designed for different practice areas including policy/government, law firms, in-house counsel, and law school.  

For TLA Members (Tufts Alumni who attend or graduated law school), Law Day is a great event to network with fellow TLA members and to share your experience with Tufts students. I am always astonished at the caliber of the Tufts students I meet at Law Day. 

For Tufts Students, this is an opportunity to get a preview at what a legal career may look like for you.  It is a chance to meet friendly and welcoming Tufts Alumni who want to share their experiences and help you out.  

See  you on Thursday!  If you have not yet registered, please do so today.  

REGISTER

Questions/comments about TLA. Contact me (Tom Dunn, TLA President) at rtdunn@PierceAtwood.com.