Abrams: Post Bench Bar Euphoria

In my last article, I recommended that you attend the 2014 Bench Bar in Cincinnati, Ohio. I suggested several reasons why you might be interested in attending and how beneficial it might be. I just finished last weekend attending the 2014 Bench Bar and my expectations were wildly exceeded. I had numerous people tell me, our Executive Director Julie Armstrong, and our board members that this Bench Bar was the best that they had ever attended. The speakers and programs were outstanding, and the social aspects were enjoyed by all. All of this success was not through my skills or efforts other than convincing Melanie Reichert and Justice David to co-chair the event. They assembled a phenomenal steering committee consisting of Kristin L. Altice, Shiel Sexton Company Inc.; Stephanie A.H. Blackman, Closure Systems International Inc.; Amanda Ropp Blystone, Broyles Kight & Ricafort PC; Stephanie L. Cassman, Lewis Wagner LLP; Marie D. Castetter, Foley & Abbott; Samantha E. DeWester, Office of Corporation Counsel; Erin M. Durnell, Broyles Kight & Ricafort PC; Commissioner Christina R. Klineman, Marion Superior Court; Hon. Robyn L. Moberly, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Indiana; Joshua S. Moudy, Kammen & Moudy; Hon. Timothy W. Oakes, Marion Superior Court; F. Anthony Paganelli, Attorney at Law; Edward R. Reichert, Farmer’s Insurance; Natalie M. Snyder, Cross Pennamped Woolsey & Glazier PC; Sarah T. Starkey, Cohen Garelick & Glazier PC; Hon. Heather A. Welch, Marion Superior Court; Robert W. York, Robert W. York & Associates; and William W. Gooden, Clark Quinn Moses Scott & Grahn LLP.

There were so many highlights and outstanding speakers, I cannot name them all, but a few need recognition so that you’ll understand why you should attend the 2015 Bench Bar in Louisville, Ky., June 18 to June 20.

The Thursday events began at Blue Ash Golf Course where 40-some eager golfers teed off to enjoy an afternoon of golf with fellow attorneys and sponsors. While the round was cut short for some by inclement weather, those that played enjoyed the golf course and the camaraderie of our bar members.

On Thursday evening, we attended a small gathering of almost 200 people to kick off the Bench Bar at an outstanding catering hall in Cincinnati known as The Phoenix. This dinner began approximately 15 years ago with 10 to 15 people interested in getting together before the CLEs began the next day. Our cocktail reception was energized by Judge Gary Miller who had brought with him a stack of stickers to append to your name tag aptly describing your skills and talents such as The Big Cheese (for me as President), Party Animal, Intellect, Gets Along Well with Others and Somebody.
 

Friday morning began with a couple plenary sessions. The first described bias in our everyday lives while the second played out as the attorney version of the TV show “Lie to Me.” The speaker identified facial signs and body movements indicating when someone was not being honest with you. While I strongly recommend you read more about how this works, I would not suggest you try it on your spouse, significant other or children since it is not full proof.

The CLEs in the afternoon were nothing short of spectacular. Lee Christie and Pete Schroeder discussed a potential case and walked everybody through their analogy of its value. While each of the panelists had some different ideas on how they would approach the case, they consistently provided outstanding rationale and thorough analysis for their discussion.

Last year, we introduced an in-house counsel track and had outstanding speakers. This year, the speakers were similarly qualified and provided great insight to the practitioner including this Benesch commercial real estate attorney who could understand what they were saying, especially Tony Rose with trademark and copyright presentation, Jim Birge with outstanding insight on contract negotiations and writing, and Michael Wukmer and Nathan Foushee with discussions on current cases and recommendations for restrictive covenants such as covenants not to compete, covenants not to solicit and others. All of their presentations were easily understood by the non-specialists.

Judges Moberly, Walton Pratt, Hughes and Altice provided outstanding insight on best practices for written materials and oral presentations for the benefit of all those who attended.

Lastly, we were honored to witness the 2014 Bench Bar JACREE Awards (JACREE standing for Jeff Abrams, Casandra Ringlespaugh, Elizabeth Eichholtz) whereby we began the show with costumes paralleling the Oscars, a courageous rap created by Biz and Cassie, followed up by some outstanding lyrics to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The seven awards given to our distinguished bar include the following:

• This person is never at a loss for fricking words and the use of the “F” bombs. The “Potty Mouth Clean It Up” Award went to Erin Clancy.

• This person has a love for cute things and posts on his Facebook about his care and concern for these friendly little critters. The “Pet Ophelia” Award went to the Hon. Gary Miller.

• The third award went to a dynamic duo who are parents of two young children and yet find time to have very successful careers. The “Brangelina” Award went to Will and Alicia Gooden.

• This lawyer is an outstanding orator, capable of stating in 100 words what you and I could only manage in 10 or 15 and recently had surgery to add additional ligaments to her jaw so that she could speak faster and longer without taking a breath. The “I Just Love to Talk Award” went to Chris Hickey.

• The next attorney is one who you don’t ever want to ever need for yourself or any of the attorneys in you firm and is a notorious litigator around the Bar. The “Don Lundberg” Award went to Kevin McGoff.

• The Marion County Judge with the highest fashion for young, female attorneys but whose clothing is selected and purchased by her husband provided the “Real Housewives of Marion County” Award for Heather and J.C. Welch.

• Lastly, this individual consistently juggles many balls at one time including a full-time job and caring for four children even though one is actually her husband (since she gets to claim him as a dependent on her federal tax return, it satisfies the criteria for a dependent). The “Busy Beaver” Award went to none other than our executive director extraordinaire, Julie Armstrong.

Now that you know you missed an incredible few days, I hope that you will put the 2015 Bench Bar on your calendar and celebrate with your fellow attorneys in Louisville next year.•