News
Law School Deeply Saddened by Passing of Max Kravitz, L’73, Popular Legal Educator and Renowned Criminal Defense AttorneyOn Sunday, Aug. 12, the Law School and legal communities lost a great teacher, friend and legal mind with the passing of Professor Max Kravitz, L’73. Professor Kravitz’s affiliation with Capital University Law School began in 1970 when he enrolled as a law student. After graduating in 1973, he returned two years later as a staff attorney in the Law School’s legal clinic. A member of the faculty since 1976, he had taught criminal law, criminal procedure, advanced criminal procedure, federal criminal law, and capital punishment litigation and practiced and taught in the Law School legal clinic.
“Max was a true colleague, a wonderful friend, a committed educator and an outstanding lawyer,” said Capital University Law School Dean Jack A. Guttenberg. “He will be deeply missed by so many people he touched throughout his life.” Professor Kravitz was a highly-respected and well-liked professor among the students for the enthusiasm and real-life experiences he brought to the classroom. He had practiced criminal law since 1973 when he began his career as a public defender. He and his wife Janet, a 1987 graduate of the Law School, founded their law firm, Kravitz, Brown & Dortch, LLC, in 1988. Many alumni will recall the opportunity they had to work and learn alongside Professor Kravitz in one of the complex litigation cases he had as an attorney in the legal clinic or the opportunity to work for him as a law clerk for cases outside of the classroom. One of the larger, more memorable legal clinic cases involved a prison civil rights case, 13 years in the making, which resulted in a $40 million renovation of London Correctional Institution. In a recent interview, Professor Kravitz indicated that one of his most memorable times at the Law School was on July 3, 1978, the day the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Ohio’s capital sentencing laws. In the case, Lockett v. Ohio, 438 U.S. 586, for which he was counsel, the Supreme Court determined that Ohio’s capital sentencing scheme was unconstitutional for it didn’t permit a jury to consider mitigating circumstances when considering the death penalty. More than 450 people were removed from death row that day.
Professor Kravitz was an active member of the Ohio State and Columbus Bar associations. He spoke frequently at criminal law education programs for attorneys and judges and authored many criminal law articles and training manuals. In 2002, he was awarded the OSBA’s Legal Education Committee Award. He served on the Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission for 14 years. He also served on the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism and was a member of the Rule 65 Committee on the Appointment of Counsel for Indigent Defendants in Capital Cases. He was a member of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, where he served on the Board of Governors, a Life Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and a long-time board member and past-President of the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. The Law School’s sympathies and prayers remain with his wife Janet; his two sons, Bret and Zachary; his mother, Sylvia; and his brothers, Jack, Larry and Philip and their families. |
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Loan Repayment Assistance Program Launches this Fall!In 2005, Capital University Law School announced a commitment to its alumni with the initiation of a Loan Repayment Assistance Program (LRAP). Beginning this fall, the LRAP program will provide finite forgivable loans to eligible graduates who are employed in a public interest or government job. “Many of our students come to Capital with a desire to work in the public interest, government and non-profit sectors; however, student loan debt can have a very limiting effect on our graduates’ career choices,” said Dean Jack A. Guttenberg. “We want to support our students’ career aspirations and this program will help relieve a little of the debt they carry and help our alumni fulfill their career goals in the public sector.” For more information about the LRAP, and how to apply, please see www.law.capital.edu/Alumni/LRAP/. Online applications are due by November 15, 2007. The Capital University Law School Loan Repayment Assistance Program Fund was established in 2004-05 for gifts designated for the LRAP. There are currently three additional supporting funds for the LRAP program:
On average, approximately 25% of Capital law graduates enter the public sector each year and are carrying more than $70,000 in law school student loan debt. To contribute to the LRAP Fund to assist more alumni who are serving in the public sector, you may give online or contact Sherri Wilmoth, assistant director of Annual Giving, at (614) 236-6602, or via e-mail at swilmoth@law.capital.edu. For questions about the program, please e-mail LRAP@law.capital.edu. |
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New Class Joins Capital, Takes Oath of Professionalism
On Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007, Capital University Law School welcomed its new 2007 entering class of 247 students at a Convocation ceremony to mark the beginning of their legal education. New students, joined by their families, were inspired by Law School Dean Jack A. Guttenberg; Capital University President Denvy Bowman; Ohio Supreme Court Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, H’99; Student Bar Association President Tony Eufinger; and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Shirley Mays, as they spoke about the important professional journey they are embarking on and the responsibilities they have to their law school, colleagues, future clients, profession, community, and family that are inherent in being given the opportunity to pursue a law degree.
The Honorable Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, was the evening’s keynote speaker and offered her advice on succeeding in the profession, including her 10 tips for success: 1. Set Goals, 2. Have a Mentor, 3. Don’t Just Join a Group, Become Involved, 4. Network, 5. Take Risks, 6. Love Each Stage You are at in Your Life, 7. Treat Everyone with Respect, 8. Leave Some Good Behind and Give Back to Those Less Fortunate, 9. Winning is Not the Most Important Thing, 10. Always Put Your Family First. Justice Stratton had the honor of administering the Oath of Professionalism to the new students. Students were then presented with a gavel to reinforce the Law School’s ideals of professionalism and ethics. Upon graduation, students will be given a sounding block to symbolize the completion of their formal legal education.
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We want to hear from you! Complete the Alumni Survey Today!All Capital University Law School alumni should have received an interest survey in the mail last month. The Alumni Association wants your input to ensure that it is offering the programs and activities that will best serve you. To complete the online survey, you will need your personal identification number and password that can be found on the first page of the survey that was mailed to you. If you have misplaced it, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 614-236-6601or alumni@law.capital.edu. All alumni who complete the survey by Sept. 10, either by mail or electronically, will be entered into a drawing to receive a $100 gift certificate to Barnes and Noble Bookstores. Additionally, each alumnus who completes the survey online will be entered into a drawing to receive an iPod. Thank you for taking a few brief moments to complete the survey! |
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Alumni Bar Exam Tailgates and After-Bar Party A Great Success!
With the good fortune of mild temperatures, the Alumni Association sponsored its semi-annual tailgate activities for Capital University Law School alumni sitting for the Ohio State Bar Exam. Of the 181 alumni taking the exam July 24 - 26, 2007, approximately 130 joined us each day for complimentary breakfast and lunch tailgates held in the parking lot of Veterans Memorial, the site of the exam.
An After-The-Bar Party packed the house at Plank’s Bier Garten in German Village on Thursday to celebrate the end of the exam. Friends and family of exam-takers were welcome to share the exuberant spirit of the afternoon that included a pizza buffet, beverages and door prizes. Faculty and Alumni well-wishers throughout the event included Professors Yvonne Twiss, L’98, Jeff Ferriell, Susan Rozelle, Chuck Cohen, Stan Darling, Dan Kobil, and past-president of the Alumni Association Board, Kate Graham, L’82. Congratulations to all who “survived.” We look forward to seeing you on October 26, 2007 (exam results release date) for the Bar Success Reception, 5:00 – 7:00 pm at the Law School.
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Thank You Alumni Bar Tutor Volunteers!Thank you to the following alumni who volunteered their time to serve in the Alumni-to-Alumni Bar Tutoring Program for the July 2007 Ohio bar exam. These individuals participated in a training and received the materials and guidance they needed to serve as a tutor for fellow alumni who have not yet met success on the Ohio bar exam. On behalf of the Alumni Association, I extend my sincere appreciation to each of them for all of their time, efforts and interest in helping our alumni succeed!
To all of our alumni, please contact me or Professor Yvonne Twiss, L’98, if you are interested in volunteering for the February 2008 Ohio Bar Exam Alumni-to-Alumni Bar Tutoring Program. Sincerely, |
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Baker Hostetler Names Capital Law Student Paul D. White Scholar
The Columbus office of the national law firm of Baker Hostetler awarded its Paul D. White Scholarship to Chee Mei (“Winnie”) Sim, a third-year Capital law student. Sim, who earned a Bachelor in Business Administration degree from Tunku Abdul Rahman College, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has an interest in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and tax. She is an evening student and is currently on the Dean's List. She has 11 years of in-house legal experience at a FORTUNE 500 company. In tribute to Paul D. White, the firm's first minority partner and a pioneer for minorities in the legal profession, a scholarship for minority law students was instituted in 1997 to provide them with valuable experience early in their careers. The scholarship includes a paid summer clerkship and a cash award. “This program, which originated in the Columbus office and has since expanded to all the firm’s offices, honors the man for whom it is named while encouraging law students to appreciate the efforts of those who have come before them,” said Columbus office Managing Partner Dan Gunsett. |
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Kimbrough Awarded Kegler Brown’s Minority Merit Scholarship
Second-year law student Margeaux Kimbrough was the recipient of Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter’s fourth annual minority merit scholarship. Kimbrough spent this summer as a full-time clerk with the firm, primarily working in the litigation and construction law practice areas. The competitive scholarship is based on academic performance, accomplishments, activities and potential contributions to the legal community. Kimbrough, the first Capital student to receive the scholarship, was selected from a pool of approximately 50 applications from top minority law students in and around Ohio. “The scholarship program helps us to attract and retain excellent minority law students and it helps students financially with their legal education,” said Michael E. Zatezalo, Kegler Brown’s managing director. Prior to starting law school, Kimbrough earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy with a minor in classics and graduated with honors from The Ohio State University. At Capital she is a Trustees’ Merit Scholarship Recipient and a member of the Black Law Students, Corporate and Business Law, and Women’s Law associations. |
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Summer Adoption Law Institute Draws Law Students from Across the Country to Capital
This summer, Capital University Law School and the National Center for Adoption Law & Policy hosted The Summer Adoption Law Institute (SALI). This course, one of only a few adoption law courses taught across the nation, brought students from across the country to Capital.
SALI, a two-credit, intensive, week-long course, explored adoption and related child welfare issues from both academic and practitioner perspectives. “Teaching a course where the law varies from state to state was both challenging and rewarding. The students were very engaged and enthusiastic about the course and brought varying perspectives from across the nation,” said Professor Angela Upchurch, Real Living Academic Director of the National Center for Adoption Law and Policy and Associate Professor of Law at Capital University Law School.
Guest lecturers during the week included Franklin County Probate Judge Lawrence Belskis, L’75; Ellen Yarrell, past president of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys; and Columbus attorney Thomas Taneff, L’87, recipient of the Congressional Angel in Adoption Award, among others. The students commented that the guest lecturers offered interesting and different perspectives that help law students understand inter-disciplinary approaches to adoption. This year, SALI hosted 49 students in total, 27 of which were from various law schools across the nation and 22 of which were Capital University Law School students. Sixteen Law Schools were represented, including: University of Toledo, University of Dayton, University of Florida, Stetson, George Washington, Albany, University of Texas, University of Tulsa, University of Richmond, Michigan State, St. Mary’s, Thomas Jefferson, University of Baltimore & Charlotte School of Law. |
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The National Center for Adoption Law & Policy
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2007 Adoption Law Fellows (left to right): Laura Austen and Amanda Azon |
The Law School and the National Center for Adoption Law & Policy welcome two new Capital Law students as Adoption Law Fellows. Laura Austen, of Springfield, Ohio, and Amanda Azon, of Wheaton, Illinois, have been selected as this year’s Fellowship recipients. Adoption Law Fellowships are available to incoming first-year students who are interested in pursuing a career in child welfare and/or adoption law upon graduation.
Laura Austen is a graduate of Wittenberg University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Laura has spent the past three years as a mental health case manager for children and families at South Community Behavioral Healthcare. She also served as a Youth Leader at Oesterlen Services for Youth, which is a mental health treatment facility in Springfield. While at Oesterlen, Laura was instrumental in developing a new treatment program for the residential units, which focused on reducing power struggles and physical restraints. She also continues to work closely with Oesterlen's foster care program.
Amanda Azon is a graduate of Tulane University, where she double majored in Spanish and Psychology and also received her Master’s degree in Spanish. Amanda’s studies focused on Latin American and Spanish Literature and she also studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. While at Tulane, Amanda volunteered for CASA New Orleans and was involved in a variety of activities such as tutoring, Pre-Law Society, and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Following Hurricane Katrina, Amanda spent a semester at Northwestern University where she also worked as a clerk for the Cook County Public Defender Juvenile Justice Division. Amanda has experience as a Spanish teacher and Special Olympics coach. After graduation, she plans to use her law degree to advocate for children, particularly the growing Hispanic population in this country.
For more information about the Adoption Law Fellowship, visit: http://www.law.capital.edu/adoptionfellows/.
Academic Success Program Looks at Individual Student Learning Styles
Students at an ASP lecture |
New students participating in the Law School’s Academic Success Program this summer had the benefit of hearing from Dr. Branton Shearer, one of the nation’s leading experts on multiple intelligences who has developed the only assessment tool available to identify multiple intelligences – MIDAS.
“The theory of multiple intelligences enables us to help students identify their strongest learning skills,” said Professor J. Joseph Bodine, L’89, director of the Academic Success Program. “We each have a unique learning process that involves some combination of the various intelligences. By helping students identify the way they think and learn, we can help them model their learning behavior so that they can succeed in law school.”
Every summer scholar took the MIDAS assessment prior to the start of the program. Dr. Shearer helped them develop study and learning strategies that made best use of their individual learning talents, as well as helped them start to develop other intelligences to help them succeed.
Moot Court Program Enhanced with Appellate Advocacy Requirement
Capital law students wanting to participate on an appellate moot court team are now required to complete Appellate Advocacy, or Trial Advocacy if they are trying out for the mock trial team.
“This enhancement comes as a result of the Law School’s strategic plan goal to improve student academic performance,” said Dean Jack A. Guttenberg. “This goal requires enhancing the writing skills of students participating in moot court.”
Other enhancements to the moot court program include elevating the status of the Moot Court Board to an honorary society whose role is to promote oral advocacy in the school. All participants on the Board must have completed the Appellate Advocacy course (or Trial Advocacy) and either have been selected for a team or have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. The Moot Court Board also will be given funds to sponsor panel discussions with litigators in the community in order to provide networking opportunities for students and will be responsible for organizing the second-year moot court team tryouts and engaging the legal community to serve as judges for the tryouts.
The Law School also will be seeking additional sponsorships for its other moot court teams. Current sponsorships include the Philip J. Fulton Law Office National Moot Court Team, the Thompson Hine LLP Frederick Douglas Moot Court Team and the Reminger & Reminger National Mock Trial Team.
“Together, these enhancements will increase the visibility of our program in the community, improve the ability of our students to obtain employment based on participating in moot court, and further enhance Capital’s reputation in the community as a strong skills-based law school,” said Guttenberg.
Top 10 Reasons to Enroll in the Mediation and Dispute Resolution Certificate Program
1. Enhance your current career by learning conflict resolution and mediation skills that will help you settle disputes more easily.
2. Complete 18 credit hours in one, two, or three years, depending on your availability.
3. Flexible class schedules.
4. Attend the Program in its entirety or select the individual components that best serve your immediate needs.
5. Receive a tailored education of on-campus/off-campus components to accommodate students outside of Central Ohio.
6. The Program’s “grandfather” provisions may allow for previously completed classes or training in mediation or dispute resolution.
7. Gain hands-on experience through the clinic and externship components of the Program.
8. Receive CLE credits for courses.
9. Receive quality instruction from experienced and knowledgeable professors and trainers.
10. Re-connect with your Capital University Law School roots.
The Mediation and Dispute Resolution Certificate Program offers open enrollment throughout the year. We began accepting applications for Spring 2008 on September 1, 2007. The next Intensive Mediation Class will be held October 1-5, 2007 (34 CLE Hours). Participants can enroll in all or part of the one week training. Students wishing to enroll in the October Intensive Mediation Class should apply for Fall 2007 admission.
To learn more about the Certificate Program visit www.law.capital.edu/mediation or call 614-236-6310.
Making Time to Advance Your Career:
Now is the time! Capital is the place!
The Graduate Law Program at Capital University Law School offers practicing attorneys the opportunity to advance their career by receiving an LL.M. degree in just 24 credit hours. The Program is flexible, allowing students up to 6 years to complete the degree with courses offered in the fall, spring and summer semesters. In order to accommodate working students, all courses are offered in the evening. Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualified candidates.
Capital offers LL.M. degrees in Tax and Business. Applications are currently being accepted for spring and summer 2008. To learn more about the Graduate Law Program, visit www.law.capital.edu/gradlaw or call 614-236-6310.
From the Law Library
Formbooks
Formbooks are a staple of legal life. In the old “just print” days attorneys had to contact an agency for the form, or hope the form used for a prior transaction had not been revised. The Internet has opened up a new world when it comes to finding and using the proper forms.
Many federal agencies have form links on the agency web site, but to search for forms covering different agencies visit http://www.forms.gov. This site has forms and instructions for all federal agencies. The Forms Catalog provides a common access point to federal agency forms needed for client or business matters. The forms may be searched by agency, sub-agency or form name. Links on the left connect to forms and instructions from the most requested agencies, including Social Security and FEMA. Each form listed gives the agency, form name and revision date.
Often the law library is asked about tax forms for a previous year. If the form required was used in a prior year it may be found by using the web site of the Internal Revenue Service. The Internal Revenue Service has forms and instructions from 1990 forward. Go to http://www.irs.gov and click on Forms and Publications located under IRS Resources.
One good place to find tax forms for U.S. states is the Federation of Tax Administrators web site located at http://www.taxadmin.org. Click on “Links” to see a U.S. map. Choose a state to go to that state’s tax agency web site. Many states have forms and instructions for previous years. Ohio 1040 forms and instructions on the Ohio Department of Taxation’s site (http://tax.ohio.gov) go back to 1995. Many other forms have versions from 2001 forward. Each state is different as to the number of years it archives. Attorneys filing incorporation forms in various states should start with the National Association of Secretaries of State web site (http://www.nass.org). Click on “Corporate Registration” or “UCC Filings,” then choose the state in the drop down box to go to the appropriate state agency for more forms.
Legal issues involving municipalities may be resolved by visiting the city’s web site for the proper form. To easily find local web sites visit USA.gov (http://www.usa.gov), the federal government’s information portal. Click on “ Reference and General Government” and then use the links to Local Government to find links to the desired city. The link “American Hometowns” under Local Government is particularly useful as it links to both cities and counties. State and Local Government on the Net (http://www.statelocalgov.net) has a nicely arranged listing of jurisdictions by state. Click on the relevant state and browse through lists of counties, cities, villages and townships sites. The form needed should be only a click away.
“Looking at the Road Ahead and Traveled for Minority Attorneys”
A Conversation with Central Ohio’s Lawyers about Diversity
A distinguished panel of central Ohio lawyers shared their unique insights about diversity in the legal profession with 60 minority summer associates, lawyers and judges at a recent citywide event sponsored by Chester, Willcox & Saxbe, LLP.
The panel included:
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Facilitator – Aneezal H. Mohamed, Vice President & Associate General Counsel, Cardinal Health, Inc.
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Ivan K. Fong, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary, Cardinal Health, Inc.
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Carl Smallwood, Partner, Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, LLP
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Ben Espy, Executive Assistant Attorney General
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John W. Bentine, Managing Partner, Chester, Willcox & Saxbe LLP
The panel offered solid advice to the young associates on a wide range of topics including retention and promotion; how to deal with the challenges faced by minority attorneys; mentorship; and career paths.
The annual event was created through a collaboration between the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Central Ohio and the John Mercer Langston Bar Association.
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