Keeping Judges Involved Presented By: Judge Linda Ludgate Justice William Strong AIC May 17, 2003

Keeping Judges Involved INNS NEED JUDGES Inns are more than Lawyers’ Clubs Judicial involvement is critical The ‘Bench Side’ perspective The active involvement and participation of judges is critical to a successful Inn. A successful Inn requires the shared perspective of both bench AND bar members. Judges can provide a unique and informative view from the ‘bench side’. As mentors, judges can make a lasting, positive influence on young lawyers and through them enlarge their contribution to the profession. As pupillage team leaders, judges bring their practical experience, wisdom and perspective to program development and understanding of the targeted principles involved. [Reference: Session – Models for Pupillage Teams]

Keeping Judges Involved JUDGES NEED INNS Inns improve courtroom decorum Nationally recognized benefit of Inns Shows their commitment to high professional standards Federal, state and local judges, whether they fully realize it or not, have an interest in the goals and workings of each Inn. Numerous resolutions have been passed encouraging judges to form, join and participate in the American Inns of Court. [Reference - handout: RESOLUTIONS] Judges see the best and worst behavior that lawyers have to offer. Inn membership gives them the opportunity to play a key, hands-on role in improving courtroom decorum and efficiency.

Keeping Judges Involved WHAT JUDGES OFFER INNS Their experience, wisdom and perspective Their ability to influence and inspire Leadership and stability Through their active Inn participation, judges show their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of the profession and encouraging practitioners to rise to higher levels of civility and competence both in and out of the courtroom. The American Inns of Court offer judges a unique opportunity to make a very personal and lasting contribution to the betterment of the American judicial system.

Keeping Judges Involved WHAT INNS OFFER JUDGES Friendly association outside the courthouse Opportunity to make a positive, local change Train, inspire and motivate young lawyers Judges can associate with other members of the bench and bar in a professional and friendly atmosphere where the common focus is on improving the entire legal community. Inn membership gives judges an escape from the isolation of their position. Judges can benefit from learning the perspectives of practicing attorneys.

Keeping Judges Involved INVOLVING JUDGES – I Keep judges active and involved Use judges wisely Focus their involvement Judges should not be members in name only. Their active participation is needed in order to help the Inn be the best it can be by openly sharing their valuable wisdom, insight and experience. Your Inn should take the fullest practical advantage of its member judges’ wisdom, leadership and perspective. The ‘view from the bench’ is a valuable perspective to almost any program, discussion or presentation. Use judges wisely. Use their limited time to your Inn’s best advantage. Many Inns rotate the title of ‘presiding judge’ at meetings, who is introduced and makes special announcements, welcomes guests, and introduces the program and its participants.

Keeping Judges Involved INVOLVING JUDGES – II Mentoring and Pupillage Teams Inn spokesperson Panelist, commentator and leadership advisor The role of mentor is especially well suited to judges. Judges and senior judges have a wealth of understanding, experience, ‘war stories’ and special training to serve as concrete examples and sound advice about practice, motions and courtroom demeanor. These are invaluable mentoring tools to teach and train young lawyers. Judges are invaluable in helping pupillage teams develop program focus, research and direction. They can often serve as special advisors to other pupillage teams with their program development. EVERY pupillage team should have one or more judges as permanent members. If your Inn is regularly rotating/sharing its judges between teams, your Inn should make a conscientious effort to recruit more judges in the near future. Sometimes, judges and senior judges are unavailable for fulltime pupillage team participation. Your Inn should allow judges to back away without completely backing out of the Inn. Solicit their continued involvement as an occasional program panelist or commentator. Allow them to serve in an advisory role to Inn committees and the Inn’s leadership. Judges are generally known and well-respected community leaders. They tend to have a higher visibility in the community and bar. Local and bar media will generally give additional weight to an article, statement or release issued by a judge. Judges can also be one of your Inn’s best recruiting resources.

Keeping Judges Involved HOW TO RETAIN JUDGES Show your appreciation Be considerate of their schedules Emeritus status Because of their honored position in the legal and local community, Inns should make a special effort to keep their judges active, involved and visible. Often, judges’ schedules may prevent them from normal, full-time involvement in all Inn activities and functions. Be sure and give judges adequate lead-time to prepare for assigned duties. Many judges do not want loud, formal recognition. But, recognizing their guidance and support of the Inn is still a much-appreciated courtesy. Some Inns have found that a special meeting to honor their judges is a way to give credit and recognition to their member judges. After a member judge has served as a mentor, pupillage team leader and officer, give them the opportunity to serve in an advisory capacity. Use their expertise and perspective as a commentator following programs or as discussion panel members. Use judges as meeting emcees to welcome visitors and guests. Judges can make a good impression at new member orientation meetings and special events. Be considerate of their schedules and don’t overload your Inn’s judges. Allow your judges to back away – without backing out – of the Inn. By serving as emeritus members, judges can still participate in mentoring programs and other Inn activities even though they don’t attend every regularly scheduled meeting

Keeping Judges Involved COMPING JUDGES Ethical gray area Inns need judges as shareholders Bottom line: Don’t comp judges Permitting the Inn or its membership to pay for judges’ membership and/or meals is an ethical gray area. It should not be expected or anticipated by either the Inn or the judge. Inns should avoid the temptation to encourage judicial membership by picking up the tab for them. Judges who pay their own way and share in the work of the Inn are seen and respected by all as co-contributors and shareholders in the Inn, not as privileged spectators.