Views from the Bench: What Judges Appreciate from Lawyers

Florham Park partner Tracey Salmon-Smith will moderate a panel discussion on “Views from the Bench: What Judges Appreciate from Lawyers” at the National Bar Association (NBA) 2019 Mid-Year Conference on March 8, 2019. A distinguished group of jurists will comprise the panel: the Hon. James E. Graves, Jr., Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit; the Hon. Arnette R. Hubbard, Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County (Illinois); and the Hon. Eric Moyé, Judge, 14th Judicial District Court of Texas, Dallas County.

One of the most daunting challenges facing defense attorneys, prosecutors, respondent’s counsel or plaintiff’s counsel is a court appearance before an unfamiliar judge. It is not unusual for some young litigators to get embarrassed by a judge before whom they appear for uninspired presentations or unwelcomed conduct (knowingly or unknowingly) in court. In this session, panelists will offer their perspectives on what lawyers should know—and do—to make the judges’ lives easier and the proponents’ arguments more palatable.