California Central Hosts Several Public Outreach Events

April was a busy month at the bankruptcy court in the Central District of California.  In early April, the court hosted a mock hearing and reception for the inaugural class of Loyola Law School Consumer Bankruptcy Litigation Practicum (CBLP).

From left: Daniel Pouldar, Thomas Ramirez, Alistair Gesmundo, 

Jamie Lopez, Judge Sandra R. Klein, Professor Anne Wells, 

W. Sloan Youkstetter, Christian Cooper

On April 20, 2015, after years in fairy-tale land, the infamous three bears finally got their day in court. In a mock trial orchestrated by Chief Judge Sheri Bluebond with the assistance of Judge Julia W. Brand and the Los Angeles Division staff, a group of nervously giddy fourth graders brought the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears to trial. Judge Bluebond got the idea to host a mock trial from Judge Tighe, who has hosted several over the years. She realized that fourth grade would be a good age and offered the opportunity to her children’s elementary school.  

Chief Judge Sheri Bluebond with student judge Gwendolyn Smith and classmates after the mock trial of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Chief Judge Sheri Bluebond with student judge Geoffrey Smith and classmates after the mock trial of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  Judge Brand is standing on the right.

 
 

Law Day Celebration

Last but not least on April 24, 2015, the court hosted a Law Day celebration for more than 90 high school students who are members of Junior State of America (JSA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for students interested in politics, government, foreign affairs, and the law. The morning events consisted of a Jobs Panel and a financial literacy presentation.  At noon, the students enjoyed Power Lunch with judges, attorneys and other professionals which ended in a lively game of Legal Jeopardy complete with candy for those who correctly answered the questions.  

Jobs Panel Participants

Answering Jeopardy questions!

Professor Laurie L. Levenson

Student Judge Julia Sandoval and District Judge John A. Kronstadt preside over mock trial

Seated left to right Bankruptcy Judge Martin R. Barash, Conrad M. Graber, Magistrate Judge Michale R. Wilner, Bankruptcy Judge Sandra R. Klein, Bankruptcy Judge Barry Russell, Bankruptcy Judge Julia W. Brand, Chief Magistrate Judge Suzanne H. Segal, and Bankruptcy Clerk of Court Kathleen Campbell.

 

Central District of California Bankruptcy Court Hosts Another Successful Federal Court Power Lunch

On December 13, 2013, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California hosted a Federal Court Power Lunch for Whitney High School.  A Power Lunch is a program for high school students who come to the courthouse to meet judges and lawyers, and to learn about the law and the legal profession.  Circuit Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Bankruptcy Judge Sandra R. Klein, Chief Magistrate Judge Suzanne H, Segal, Magistrate Judges Alka Sagar and Michael C. Wilner, and Judge Holly Fujie of the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, participated in the event.  Additionally, Bankruptcy Clerk of Court and Executive Officer Kathy Campbell, including members of her staff attended and helped make the event a huge success.

Approximately 50 students and staff from Whitney High School attended the Power Lunch.  United States Attorney Andre Birotte, Jr.; David Madden, assistant circuit executive for public information, Ninth Circuit Office of the Circuit Executive; and Julie Pollock, a UCLA fellow, also participated in the event.  Several volunteer attorneys including assistant U.S. attorneys, deputy federal public defenders, and an attorney from the Bureau of Prisons took part in the event.  Judge Klein’s law clerks, Stephanie Rettier and Razmig Izakelian, also spoke with the students and participated in the lunch.
 
Judge Klein introduced each of the judges and spoke briefly about her background and the importance of mentoring in her career.  Judge Nguyen kicked off the event and discussed her background, dreaming big, and never letting obstacles get in her way.  Judge Segal explained what magistrate judges do and what led her to a career in the law.  Judge Sagar, who was the guest speaker, provided information about her family, her background and the definitive moments in her career, including her recent appointment to the bench.  All of the speakers emphasized the importance of perseverance and never giving up your dreams.    

Central District Judges Speak to Law Students About Externship Opportunities

On October 21, 2013, more than 100 eager law students attended a Federal Judicial Externship Panel hosted by Loyola Law School.  The event was designed to inform students about the nature of externship programs in the federal courts and the hiring process.  The panel featured three judges from the Central District of California: United States Bankruptcy Judge Sandra R. Klein, U.S. District Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell, and U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Suzanne H. Segal.  The judges were joined by Angella D. Yates, law clerk to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Neil W. Bason, who is involved in Loyola's externship program and serves as a mentor to Loyola students seeking judicial externships and clerkships.

The panelists discussed a wide range of topics, including judges’ selection criteria for externs, the “do’s and don’ts” of interviewing, and the type of work assigned to externs in their respective courts.  They also emphasized that externs have the opportunity to observe many different court proceedings.

 

Judge Segal advised students that the most important thing to get out of their externship is to improve their legal research and writing skills.  “It is how lawyers communicate, and it is the most important thing you will do in your career,” she said.  “An externship will teach you to succinctly and persuasively get the attention of the judge,” Judge O’Connell added.

In addition to discussing how valuable the experience can be for law students, the panelists also noted that the “fresh perspective” from externs and their enthusiasm for learning are highly appreciated in chambers.  Judge Klein, who moderated the event, said that she uses the externship program as a chance to both teach and learn from the students.  She also described the high level of staff interaction within chambers and referred to her law clerks and externs as “family.” 

The benefits of the externship program were strongly echoed when former externs at the event talked about their own experiences.  When asked which aspect of his externship surprised him the most, Joshua Aberman, former extern to Judge O’Connell, replied, “The level of responsibility you get at the start.”  Ahree Song, former extern to Judge Klein, said that she was most surprised by how accessible and approachable the judge was.  Angella Yates mentioned that bankruptcy cases involve a broad range of legal issues and that externing for a judge can be the first step to a post-graduate judicial clerkship. 

The event had a great turnout and was an overwhelming success.  It was a truly unique opportunity for law students to hear firsthand how a judicial externship can supplement and enrich their legal education and their legal careers.

Central District of California Welcomes Student Groups

As the school year winds down and the summer break approaches, May is typically a busy month for educational outreach activities at the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  Several judges in the Western Division welcomed students from local area schools for mock trials and educational programs in May, including the following:  

On May 15, approximately 50 third-grade students and two teachers from Wilmington Park Elementary School visited the Spring Street Courthouse for a discussion with Senior District Judge Terry J. Hatter, Jr., and a presentation by the U.S. Marshals Service in Judge Hatter’s courtroom.  The students also visited Judge Hatter’s chambers.

 

On May 17, approximately 25 fifth-graders from Utah Street Elementary School visited the Spring Street Courthouse for a mock trial presided over by District Judge S. James Otero in his courtroom.  The mock trial served as the culmination of a year-long course on the criminal justice system presented by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.  After the mock trial, U.S. Attorney André Birotte, Jr., congratulated the students and presented them with their graduation certificates.  U.S. Attorney Birotte and several assistant U.S. attorneys who taught the course also spoke to the students about the benefits of an education and careers in the law and law enforcement over a pizza lunch at the U.S. attorney’s office.

On May 22, approximately two dozen 12th graders from Inglewood High School visited the Spring Street Courthouse as part of a new “We the Students” program sponsored by DLA Piper.  The event was hosted by Senior District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall in her courtroom, and District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez, U.S. Attorney André Birotte, Jr., and former U.S. Marshal and Inglewood High School alumnus Tony Perez spoke to the students about their respective career paths.  Following a visit to Judge Marshall’s chambers and a demonstration by her court recorder, the students who won a related essay contest read their winning essays and received their awards.

On May 23, a class of third-grade students from Mount Washington Elementary School visited the Spring Street Courthouse to participate in a mock trial presided over by Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Walsh.  After the mock trial, the students were treated to a pizza lunch by Judge Walsh.

Federal Court in San Diego Welcomes Students

The United States District Court for the Southern District of California welcomed nearly 400 high school seniors to its annual Open Doors to Federal Courts program held March 20, 2013, in San Diego.  The objective is to bring high school students, teachers, judges, court staff, and lawyers together to enhance public knowledge and understanding of the federal court system. 

The district's annual event included a Legal Careers Panel; Credit Abuse Resistance Education (CARE) hosted by bankruptcy court judges; and a mock trial in which students participated in the various roles.

During the careers discussion, students heard from prosecution and defense attorneys who work within the federal system, as well as a probation officer, courtroom deputy, court reporter, interpreter and a deputy U.S. marshal. Each discussed their roles and responsibilities. Attorneys present also shared the education and experience they received in order to attain these positions.

Bankruptcy judges explained to students the ins and outs of using credit and how to wisely use credit cards. The goal of the CARE program is to prepare young people to intelligently manage their credit and to keep them from ever seeing the inside of a bankruptcy court.

The event culminated with students participating in a scripted mock trial presided over by judges of the Southern District. The trial explored the real life hazards of texting while driving, giving students a chance to discuss and debate the ramifications of this risky behavior. The day emphasized the importance of civic responsibility, good citizenship and impartiality to these young men and women preparing to leave highs school and enter the adult work force.

 

Central District Bankruptcy Court Welcomes L.A. Police Cadets

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California welcomed several Los Angeles Police cadets to a Federal Court Power Lunch held October 5, 2012. The cadets had the opportunity to learn about the work and responsibilities of judges and attorneys, trials, the Bill of Rights and the three branches of the United States government. The cadets also participated in a Jeopardy-style game at the end of the presentations. Speakers included District Judge Jacqueline H. Nguyen, now judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; District Judge Dolly M. Gee, Chief Magistrate Judge Suzanne H. Segal, Bankruptcy Judge Sandra R. Klein, U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte, and U.S. Marshal David Singer.  Pictured is Judge Klein with the cadets during a Jeopardy-style game.

Central District 2012 Teachers’ Institute

The use of technology brought 30 Los Angeles-area high school teachers and 20 D.C.-area high school teachers together for an interactive civics lesson without having to leave their respective courthouses.  The Central District of California, celebrated its 11th annual Teachers' Institute on October 23, 2012, by participating in a video conference hosted by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.  The government, civics, and history teachers deepened their knowledge of the federal courts and learned innovative ways of teaching about the  judiciary.  District Judge Richard J. Leon of the D.C. District headlined the event with a judicial overview and a joint question-and-answer session.  Constitutional scholar Robert S. Peck, who is affiliated with the Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier, involved the teachers by demonstrating how to use the Socratic method to teach Supreme Court precedents and apply them to contemporary issues.

High school teachers from Los Angeles and District of Columbia convene for an interactive civics lesson.

Students Celebrate 2012 Law Day at Los Angeles Federal Court

Local high school students throughout Los Angeles County celebrated 2012 Law Day at the United States District Court in Los Angeles. Some 1,000 students, teachers, and volunteers gathered for the three-day event held April 24-April 26, 2012. The program included mock trials and presentations by judges, attorneys, pretrial services and probation officers,court staff, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Court staff and volunteers from Justice Corps and Trinity Law School worked tirelessly to ensure a successful and rewarding program for the students.

Courthouse Exhibits in Los Angeles

Sketch from Michael Jackson trial

The United States District Court for the Central District of California has opened historical exhibits at its two courthouses in downtown Los Angeles. 

The Spring Street courthouse features exhibits on the “Office of the Clerk of Court – Past and Present” and the “Artistic Depictions of Spring Street Courtroom Proceedings," features an historical overview of various career opportunities available in the clerk’s office.  Another exhibit, “Artistic Depictions of Spring Street Courtroom Proceedings,” features trials of well-known musicians including the late Michael Jackson, Rapper Suge Knight, Michael Bolton, Paula Abdul, Lionel Richie, and Mike Love of The Beach Boys.  Their trials ranged from copyright disputes to parole violation hearing.

 

Another exhibit in the Roybal Federal Building on Temple Street features courtroom artist sketches of infamous trials including the “Millenium Bomber,” Anna Nicole Smith’s bankruptcy hearing, Michael Jackson and Rodney King’s civil trials.

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Are You Interested in Finding Out About Local Outreach Programs for High School Students?

Central District of California Hosts Law Day in 2010

Law Day is coming up!  Most courts host outreach events around May 1.

Here is some information by District: