Book Reading -- I'll Take The Case, by TLA Member, Jon Plaut, A92 -- June 23, 2021 at 7-8PM ET

Join Tufts alum and long-time litigator Jonathan D. Plaut, A92, as he reads us selections from his newest book, “I’ll Take the Case: Wild & True Law Stories”. 

In the book, Plaut shares 18 of his best true law stories – out of over 1,500 he has handled in his career. These stories are told in a quick, easily-readable style, and they introduce the reader to the real-life world of a litigator. Some of Plaut’s stories are funny, some are poignant, some are heartbreaking and some are just wild, and they range from criminal law, civil litigation and sports law to international disputes and family battles.  

“One story is about a maritime mutiny out of Gloucester,” Plaut says, “and another is about a lawsuit where I sued Don King on behalf of a World Heavyweight boxing champion. Another is about a fistfight which occurred on a Korean Airlines flight which made headline news throughout South Korea.” There are several stories about rock stars he has represented, and some are about sex-based crimes and their aftermath. “It’s packed with details, and I share the nuances of my legal strategies.” Plaut tells us that the book contains stories about jury trials, self-defenestration and some super strange barters for legal services. “Fasten your seatbelt,” Plaut cautions. 

Plaut’s book is available on Amazon. Tufts’ own Sol Gittleman called it “a stunning achievement”. Another lawyer in Boston just called it “a peep show into the incredible world of litigation”. 

Plaut will also field questions---about law school, the practice of law, rock & roll stories from the road, or anything else you might want to ask! He will also giveaway three autographed books to attendees picked at random.

The discussion will be moderated by Sabienne Brutus, A13. 

This event is open to all Tufts Lawyers Association members, students, alumni, parents and friends. We look forward to seeing you on June 23rd!

REGISTER

To learn more about this program or TLA, contact TLA President, Tom Dunn at rtdunn@PierceAtwood.com.

We learned a lot from Judge Locke -- Tufts Judicial Series

On June 2, 2021, Becky Goldberg (recent Columbia Law School Graduate) and Marc Sittenreich (Garfunkel Wild) interviewed Magistrate Steven Locke of the United States District Court, Eastern District of New York (EDNY).

Judge Locke discussed the unique attributes of Magistrate Judges, including its history and diversity of usage throughout the United States District Courts.  He described that EDNY currently has a huge caseload and that the Magistrate Judges handle the civil cases mostly through the discovery and motion for summary judgment stages of the litigation.  He described his thoughts on bail decisions, including implicit biases, and the effort that he commits towards the cases he adjudicates.  

Judge Locke promoted the strong benefits of clerkship as well as service as an Associate United States Attorney.  He described how much he enjoys working with his law clerks and interns.  He prefers to hire his law clerks after a couple years of experience.  

The TLA's Tufts Judicial Series is making connections.  Judge Locke described how he has been in touch with Judge Birotte after his program.  He mentioned that he may adopt Judge Birotte's policy of allowing oral argument if an attorney with less than seven years experience handles the argument.  In addition, during the networking portion of the meeting, Judge Locke's friend from Tufts re-connected with Judge Locke from India!  Despite it being 5AM in India, Guatam Chawla and Judge Locke recounted old times during the call.  It was fun to see.   Below is a screenshot of that moment.  

Thank you Judge Locke for sharing your time with us this week.  And, great job moderating Marc and Becky!  

We will post the recording once it is available.  If you have questions about the Tufts Judicial Series or the Tufts Lawyers Association, contact me, Tom Dunn, TLA President, at rtdunn@PierceAtwood.com

Business Development 101 for Attorneys – Plan and Act Now for Clients Tomorrow (May 25, 2021 | 7:00-8:00PM ET)

Too often, young associates do not know where or how to begin developing business and securing a path from associateship to partnership.  Join a round table discussion with experienced attorneys and executive coaches about how to immediately start developing business for your firm or practice.  Speakers and attendees will share their tips, advice, and experiences on actions you can take today to secure business and clients for your firm tomorrow.

The conversation for the evening will be moderated by Steve Feldman, A92, of Murphy &  McGonigle PC. To learn more about our speakers, Susan Ganz, J89, A13P, A23P and Kelli Proia.

This event is open to all students, alumni, parents and friends.

REGISTER

Everyone needs to make their own journey -- Hon. Nancy Atlas, J71

Early on in her legal career, Judge Atlas said that she received fabulous advice that "everyone needs to make their own journey."  During the Tufts Judicial Series program on May 12th featuring Judge Atlas, she shared that advice to attendees.  She also emphasized the importance of returning the practice of law into a profession.  During her practice as an attorney and tenure as a United States District Judge, she explained that she has seen the professionalism of the legal practice diminish into more of a business.  This comes from all perspectives -- client, firm, partner, and associate. 

Our two excellent TLA moderators from Houston, Texas, Jimmy Leo and Laurens Wilkes, asked Judge Atlas about a whole range of topics from her legal career, changes in the law during her practice, diversity, and current conditions responding to the pandemic.  A video of the discussion will be available in a couple of weeks if you missed the program.  

Some of the highlights for me from yesterday's program included:

• Civil vs. Criminal Cases - Judge Atlas explained that she finds criminal cases very interesting.  She expressed the sense of importance and responsibility in adjudicating those cases. The civil cases, however, are growing increasingly more complex. As an example, she stated that Congress is passing legislation which is hundreds of pages and she is concerned very few of them are reading it.  The legislative history does not provide much assistance so the judiciary is left to interpret it.  
• Law Clerks - Judge Atlas' preference was to hire law clerks with 1-2 years of legal experience.  She also had a career law clerk which made training and working with the 1 year law clerks more productive. 
• Diversity in Clerkships and the Profession - Specifically, she mentioned the ABA's Judicial Intern Opportunity Program and the Just the Beginning Foundation as excellent programs.  
• Mentorship and Training - Judge Atlas is concerned that there is not enough opportunities for more junior attorneys to receive the experience and training of trial practice.  She explained that there is a desire to overturn every stone and an inability to employ the strategic, risk-taking approaches that is inherent in trial practice given the lack of experience. To make a difference on this issue in her courtroom, Judge Atlas imposed a policy that oral argument would be granted if an attorney who has practiced less than seven years presents the oral argument.  She also encouraged co-counsel to present themselves during oral argument when consulted by lead counsel.  
• Clearing the Civil Case Backlog.  We had a discussion about ways the civil case backlog could be cleared following the pandemic.  Judge Atlas suggested a non-binding summary jury trial with a retired justice (likely followed by a mediation session) as such an ADR method.  Others discussed trials referred to Magistrate Judges to clear the cases.  Interestingly, some districts are permitting counsel to select Magistrate Judges for that purpose.  

We were honored to have our previously featured guest, Judge Andre Birotte, and our next Tufts Judge, Magistrate Judge Steven Locke, attend this program.  Please register for the Judge Locke program scheduled for June 2nd at 6:30PM.   

Contact me (Tom Dunn, TLA President - rtdunn@PierceAtwood.com) to learn more about these events or about the TLA in general.  

Tufts Judicial Series -- Hon. Nancy F. Atlas, J71

Join us on May 12th for our next Tufts Judicial Series featuring The Honorable Nancy F. Atlas, Senior United States District Judge, Southern District of Texas.  

After graduating from Tufts in 1971, Judge Atlas had a varied career involving both complex commercial litigation matters and serving as an Assistant United States Attorney.  

Judge Atlas was appointed to the bench in 1995, sitting in Houston, Texas, While on the bench, Judge Atlas has been active in the ABA and its Section of Litigation in various leadership roles and on numerous CLE programs.  She co-founded the Atlas Intellectual Property Inn of Court in Houston.  She also served on the Committee on Judicial Security of the U.S. Judicial Conference from 2005 to 2015, and chaired the Committee from 2010 to 2015.  

The event will be co-moderated by Leo J. Leo III, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas and J. Laurens Wilkes, Jones Day.  Both moderators are TLA members based in Houston, Texas!   

We hope to see you on May 12th at 5PM CT / 6PM ET.  If you have any questions about this event, feel free to contact me (Tom Dunn, TLA President, rtdunn@pierceatwood.com).  

REGISTER

 

Results from TLA's Trivia Night

We had a blast last week during the first TLA Trivia Night.  The event lasted nearly two hours with seven rounds of trivia.  The teams were:

• Smarty Pints
• Law and Order
• Better Call Sol Gittleman
• Paper Chase and 
• Suits and Scrubs

I am pleased to announce that the top alumni team was Law and Order.  Members of that team were:

• Matthew Shapanka, A09 (TLA Board Member)
• Mirjola Adhami, A11
• Naushin Shibli, A04
• Deana Davidian, A04
  

Congratulations to our winners!   

Thanks to Aime Macdonald and Melissa John for coordinating this fun event.  Contact me (Tom Dunn, rtdunn@Pierce Atwood.com) to learn more about the TLA!

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

-----------------

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