News

Bar Success Reception

On Fri., Oct. 27, Capital University Law School alumni celebrated their success on the July 2006 Ohio Bar exam. Alumni and their family gathered with faculty and staff members at a reception sponsored by the Alumni Association.

L-R: Sarah Hadacek, Kathleen Manley, Dean Jack A. Guttenberg, and Brooke Leslie

[ Click here for more pictures from the Bar Success Reception ]

NCALP Receives OSBF’s Outstanding Program/Organization of the Year Award

The National Center for Adoption Law & Policy at Capital University Law School was honored on Nov. 3 with the Ohio State Bar Foundation’s 2006 Outstanding Program/Organization Award.

The Outstanding Program or Organization Award is given annually to a nonprofit entity that “promotes the dissemination of public information, improvement of public understanding and enhancement of public education concerning our system of justice and how it impacts the citizens of Ohio.”

Created in 1998, NCALP is the only entity of its kind working to effect change in the laws, policies and practices associated with child protection and adoption systems. The center, directed by Professor Kent Markus, uses research, advocacy and education to bring positive change to the child welfare system throughout Ohio and the nation.

“NCALP makes a significant impact on the judicial and legislative systems affecting adoption and child welfare policies, not only in Ohio but across the nation as well,” said Dean Jack A. Guttenberg. “The work of the center is exceptional and they are very deserving of this honor.”

Congratulations to NCALP and all its staff and students for the great work they are doing to improve the lives of children and for this justly deserved recognition!

Capital Law Students Receive Federal Bar Scholarships

Two Capital University Law School students are the recipients of the Federal Bar Association (FBA) Columbus Chapter diversity scholarships. Second year students Maria Honer and Justin Isom have received two of the three awards given. This is the first year these awards have been made by the FBA and it includes both a $5000 scholarship and externship opportunity with a federal court judge.

The scholarships and externships are awarded to minority students based on academic merit, character and financial need. The application process includes an essay and an interview with a FBA board member. Students must complete their externships by May 2007, after which there is an option to extend the externship.

Maria Honer and Justin Isom are both serving as externs at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Honer is an extern for Judge Edward Sargus; Isom is an extern for Judge Michael Watson, L’87, H'05.

The goal of the FBA diversity scholarship program is to increase the diversity represented on the courts. Students benefit from the program by gaining first-hand experience working in the federal court system, and by the opportunity to interact with judges and create a network of contacts.

Atkins Receives Moot Court Alumnus of Year Award
Shirk Named Outstanding Oralist

Alumna Lisa Atkins, L'96, MBA'98, and law student Jarrod Shirk were the recipients of two awards given at the honorary moot court round of the Philip J. Fulton Law Office National Moot Court Team.

Ms. Atkins was named Moot Court Alumnus of the Year. Atkins, who served as a judge for the honorary moot court round, works in the Office of the General Counsel at Nationwide Insurance. A member of the 1994 National Moot Court Team, Atkins and her teammates were qualifying finalists in the Northeast Regional Rounds of the National Appellate Advocacy Competition. They also placed first in the regional rounds of the National Moot Court Competition where Atkins was recognized as the best oral arguer of the competition.

Jarrod Shirk, a third year law student, received the Philip J. Fulton Excellence in Oral Advocacy Award. The award was established this year by Philip J. Fulton, L’80 and the Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers. The $1,500 scholarship is awarded to a member of the Philip J. Fulton Law Office National Moot Court Team who is selected as the Outstanding Oralist during the fall honorary moot court round.

The Law School has begun a tradition of holding an honorary moot court round for the Law School’s premier interscholastic moot court team the week before they compete in regional competition. Lawyers from the community serve as judges of the competition. This year’s judges were, in addition to Atkins, retired Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Teresa L. Liston, L’81, and Steven S. Nolder, L’87, Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Ohio.

The National Moot Court team members are Chip McConville, Mark Ondrejech, Bill Cash and Jarrod Shirk. They competed in the 57th Annual National Moot Court Competition, one of the nation’s most prestigious moot court competitions, Nov. 9-11.

Results of Law School’s Reputation Survey

Thank you to all of our alumni and friends who completed the Law School image assessment survey that was conducted this past summer by Sterling Research Group, Inc.

Approximately 700 surveys have been completed for a seven percent response rate, a rate that is typical for a professional audience. Seventy-nine percent of the completed surveys are from Capital University Law School graduates.

Overall, respondents feel generally positive about the Law School. Our location and facilities are rated very high and offering both full-time and part-time programs is viewed as a strength. Although the Law School is seen as somewhat expensive, respondents feel that the Law School is a real asset to the city and a real asset to the legal profession.

Our students and faculty are thought of well. Our students are seen as well-prepared, have a good work ethic, and have the essential skills needed to be successful in the practice of law, including strong writing skills, a good understanding of theory and practice and good dispute resolution skills. Our faculty are seen as approachable, interested in their students, have good practical skills and bring a diversity of experience to the classroom.

What do our audiences feel we might do better? Suggestions included: improve our bar passage rate, have a better self-image, increase faculty scholarship, require more selective admissions, enhance our visibility in the community, provide more CLE opportunities, engage alumni more, and celebrate our successes.

The results of this reputation survey demonstrate that the Law School has a huge opportunity for growth in the minds of our many audiences (alumni, judges, employers, students, etc.). Our recently adopted Strategic Plan — Building on Our Momentum, Securing Our Future: Strategies 2010, addresses many of these issues, including strengthening our student body; enhancing the quality of teaching and scholarship; increasing the engagement of our alumni; and building our reputation. Over the past several years, the Law School faculty has taken steps to improve the curriculum and support for students to ensure their success on the bar and in the practice of law. Our most recent passage rate for first-time takers of 87 percent, placed us third in the state.

Thank you again to everyone who took the time to complete the survey. Your opinions are important to us and you will be hearing more about Capital University Law School and our many successes — our students, our faculty and our alumni!

Congresswoman Deborah Pryce, L'76, Addresses the Law School

Welcomed to the law school by cheering students Congresswoman Deborah Pryce, L'76, addressed her constituants, former professors and fellow alumni during a lunchtime visit to the Law School.

The program was sponsored and organized by the Capital University Law School Republicans and BiGLaw (Bisexual, Gay, and Lesbian Law Association) organizations.

Jason Owen, president of BiGLaw, had these words to say about Congresswoman Pryce when he introduced her: “Deborah Pryce sat in a seat similar to yours a few years ago. After graduating Capital University Law School, she became a prosecutor, a judge and then a United States Congresswoman. She is now the 4th ranking Member in the House of Representatives in the United States Congress. Her moderate record includes support to end discrimination by voting for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. She co-authored the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. She authored the Child Abuse Prevention & Enforcement Act. She is Congress’ leading adoption proponent. Her support of our own National Center for Adoption Law & Policy, is a testament to her commitment to all central Ohioans. Her courage and her humanity are what impress me the most.”

Great Turnout for Oct. 20 CLE

One of your Alumni Association Strategic Plan’s Key Result Areas is enhancing professional development opportunities offered through the Law School. With this in mind, and with assistance from Dean Jack A. Guttenberg, the Alumni Association is sponsoring regional CLE’s throughout Ohio on Ohio’s new rules of professional conduct. The CLE is offered to Capital University Law School alumni for a nominal fee of $35.

The first CLE was held at the Law School on Oct. 20 where more than 70 alumni took part. The next program will be held in Cleveland on March 9, and due to popular demand, the association will repeat the CLE in Columbus on April 27 as part of Alumni Weekend activities.

A special thank you to Dean Guttenberg and the following alumni who have volunteered to present at the CLEs: Mike Distelhorst, ’71, L’76; David Hardymon, L’76; Chad Kettlewell, L’00; Jon Marshall, L’70; Scott Mote, L’77; Heather Sowald, L’79.

For more information on upcoming Alumni Association sponsored CLEs, visit http://www.law.capital.edu/Alumni/ or contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@law.capital.edu or 614-236-6601.

The 2006 John W. McCormac Award

The 2006 John W. McCormac Award for Outstanding Service to the Paralegal Profession will be presented at an annual ceremony to be held at the Columbus Bar Association headquarters on December 14, 2006.

Judge McCormac was one of the first to recognize the vast contributions paralegals bring to the legal and business community. His years of dedicated public service and his keen insight into the delivery of legal services led to the founding of Capital’s Paralegal Program in 1972. This program has continued to grow and develop into one of the premier programs in the country. The award, named after Judge McCormac, is co-sponsored by Capital University Law School, the Columbus Bar Association and Project Lawyers.

The recipient is chosen based upon the following criteria: (1) length of involvement in the paralegal profession; (2) support of paralegal educational efforts; (3) efforts to increase the credibility and status of the profession; and (4) service to the legal community and professional organizations.

The committee received excellent nominations for the 2006 award making the job of the selection committee extremely difficult. However, the final selection was Debra D. Overly, paralegal at Volkema Thomas LPA.

U.S. District Court Judge Frost Speaks at the Law School

U.S. District Court Judge Gregory L. Frost, was the featured speaker at a joint meeting of Capital students, faculty, staff, and two Columbus Bar Association committees (Professionalism and Federal Courts). An experienced judge, he brought his prespective of years on the state and federal benches to the topic of professionalism. He spoke with humor and knowledge regaling the audience with annecdotes of courtroom scenes featuring everything from boorish behavior and smart retorts from witnesses.

The objective of the meeting was to reinforce the importance of professionalism in the practice of law and to promote interaction between students and practicing attorneys who are active bar members.

Judge Frost was appointed, and then elected, to the Licking County Municipal Court in 1983. He served on the bench for seven years. Judge Frost was elected to the Licking County Common Pleas Court in 1990 and was re-elected in 1996 and 2002. He served as judge of that court for thirteen years. On March 19, 2003, he was sworn in as Judge of The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.

The event was organized by Professor Lance Tibbles, Assistant Dean Mary Ann Willis, and Assistant Dean Jennifer DiSanza.

Capital Law Review Quoted in Sunday New York Times

The Capital University Law Review was quoted in a front page story of the Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006 edition of the New York Times. By reviewing the judicial selection process in Ohio, the article discusses the relationship between campaign contributions and court decisions.

The Capital University Law Review article was produced as part of a symposium that Law School Professor Brad Smith organized in 2000. The Capital University Law Review article, The Independence and Democratic Accountability of the Supreme Court of Ohio, 30 Cap. U.L. Rev. 455 (2002), was co-authored by Paul D. Carrington and Adam R. Long. The following is the quote from the New York Times article which relied on Carrington and Long's Capital University Law Review article:

"'Although there may be no good method of selecting and retaining judges, there is a worst method, and Ohio is among the states to have found it,' Paul D. Carrington and Adam R. Long wrote in a 2002 study of the Ohio Supreme Court in the law review of Capital University here in Columbus. 'That worst method is one in which judges qualify for their jobs by raising very large sums of money from lawyers, litigants and special interest groups, and retain their offices only by continuing to raise such funds.' The problem, the authors found, is not a new one, but one that grows with the sums involved."

[ Read the complete New York Times article ]

New Law Offers Opportunity to Give to CULS

A new law offers the opportunity to give to qualified charities such as Capital University Law School. If you, or one of your clients, are age 70½ or older, the IRA rollover provision signed into law August 17, 2006, provides tax incentives to contribute individual retirement account (IRA) assets to nonprofit organizations. This is a limited time opportunity that, at present, is applicable only for charitable contributions made in 2006 and 2007.

The IRA rollover provision, approved as part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, enables donors age 70½ or older to exclude from adjusted gross income the amount of “qualified charitable distributions” up to $100,000 per year from regular or Roth IRAs. The provision expires Dec. 31, 2007.

This law lets donors provide for the next generation of lawyers, judges, public interest law providers, entrepreneurs and leaders while fulfilling the requirements of their IRA accounts.

To discuss making a qualified charitable contribution to Capital University Law School, contact John Strick, director of Development and Alumni Relations, at 614-236-6601.

[ Read more about how the details of this opportunity works ]