The Mid-Winter Bar Meeting has two tracks of CLE and I attended Track 2 because a number of our alumni were presenting on that track. In the morning I missed George Niblock’s presentation because I had breakfast with Linda Lou Moore who has an exciting idea that I hope I’ll be able to share with you all soon. I did arrive in time for the 9:45 a.m. session with Judge Lavenski Smith, 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, which was entitled, “Judicial Selection: It is More About the Choices than Who Does the Choosing.” That was an ethics hour which was great because I got to see Judge Smith and also earn an hour of ethics for my own CLE requirement. The next session started at 10:45 a.m. and the speaker was Bobby McDaniel, another of our distinguished alums. He presented a fascinating talk on trial technology and how it can be used to enhance trial practice.
Lunch from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. turned out to be quite fun because Bill Martin, Bobby McDaniel, Prof. Rob Leflar, and Sally and Nick Patton and I went to Blues City Café for ribs. Blues City Café, if you haven’t been there, has the best ribs in Memphis. I’m not a dry rib person. I think Rendevous is great, but personally I think Blues City Café is better. At that wonderful lunch we talked about everything from trial lawyers to the current tort reform movement to what impact the new administration might have on immigration policy. From 1:00-2:00 p.m. another of our distinguished alums, Judge Leon Holmes, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, Little Rock, gave a talk on “Jury Instructions and Closing Arguments.” Then I went up to my room to check e-mail, return phone calls and what not and caught the end of Nick Patton’s 3:15-4:15 p.m. presentation on “Intellectual Property Litigation.”
Rondezvous Charcoal Ribs
That evening it was time to go to eat more Barbeque at the Rendevous. This is an annual tradition of the Mid-Winter Bar Meeting and it’s always a lot of fun, not just because of the food, but because it’s nice to see everyone in a casual relaxed setting. The menu consists of ribs, chicken, sausage, cole slaw, baked beans and garlic bread. It’s quite a spread along with pitchers of cold beer or soda and a good time had by all. The Rendevous is followed by the Dessert Gala back at the Peabody. This year instead of it being on the balcony it was in the Venetian Room which was much better because there was a lot more space and the ability to spread out and visit. Usually it was cramped and crowded, so this new venue was a big improvement. Later that evening we had a pleasant surprise. One of our very distinguished alums, Secretary Rodney Slater, had flown into town to be there that evening. It was good to see him, as always.
Bill Martin, Jan Sprott, and Don Hollingsworth
For the evening’s events I was wearing a baseball cap because Michele and Jimmy had gone for a walk earlier in the day and found a cap that said, “Women who behave never make history.” I loved it, so I wore it. So, if you’re wondering why I was walking around in a baseball cap, it’s because it was a very special gift and I wanted to show it off that evening. After the reception, I went right up to bed because I had a very early morning. My flight left from Memphis to Chicago at 6:00 a.m. so I could make it to the ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Council Meeting.
Nancecy 