by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
The local law community has stated that the Fourth Judicial Circuit is the most professional it has worked in, and the Gary Pajcic Professionalism Seminar was held Thursday to help maintain that atmosphere.
The third annual event was hosted by the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and program chair Hugh Cotney.
The seminar stressed how important it is for lawyers to develop a good rapport with colleagues and the judiciary while establishing and maintaining a career in law.
”It takes years to build a reputation and seconds to lose it,” said Cotney.
Panel discussion and question-and-answer sessions helped attendees understand what is and isn’t acceptable behavior in the courtroom.
This includes: not being on time; failing to identify yourself and your client; providing incomplete information and unprofessional manners in the court, including talking over each other; continuing to argue after a ruling has been made; and using sarcasm in arguments.
Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Judges Bernard Nachman, Mallory Cooper, Charles Arnold, Elizabeth Senterfitt and Karen Cole participated in a panel discussion and described their pet peeves, including:
“When I hear, ‘Judge, nobody else makes me do this,’” said Cole. “It’s not a good argument and won’t help your case.”
“Not being civil,” said Senterfitt.
“Coming in unprepared and making long arguments starting with, ‘as the court well knows...,’” said Nachman. “Right then you know they haven’t picked up a book.”
“Identify yourself and your client in the courtroom,” said Cooper.
“Never be late,” said Arnold.
Nachman also contributed a list of how to develop professionalism in the courtroom.
”Read ‘All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,’” said Nachman. “Share everything, discovery should be freely given, play fair, don’t hit people, literally or figuratively; and be on time. Being late is only a prerogative of judges.”
The seminar was attended by both law students and senior attorneys, including Wayne Hogan, of Terrell Hogan; retired Judge and former ABOTA President Tyrie Boyer; and Circuit Court Judge-Elects Jim Daniel and Virginia Norton.
About 40 people attended the seminar at the Downtown Hyatt on Thursday.
The seminar was named after Gary Pajcic, past president of ABOTA and co-founder of Pajcic & Pajcic.
“Gary always put integrity first and was an example of professionalism and civility,” said Cotney. “He was always helpful. Along with a great career he was also a great philanthropist.”
ABOTA was created to preserve the civil jury system and “Justice by the people.”
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