On March 11, Judge Parker from the Montgomery County, Ohio Common Pleas Court, and Judge Newman from the U.S. District Court in Dayton, talked to two high school civics classes at Tippecanoe High School in Tipp City, Ohio. The judges discussed judicial elections (Judge Parker) and appointment (Judge Newman); difficult trials; life as a lawyer and judge; and recusal.
Magistrate Judge Caroline Gentry and Judge Michael Newman welcomed Girl Scouts, from the Girls Scouts of Western Ohio, to learn about the Third Branch; meet judges, law clerks, and court staff; witness a naturalization ceremony; and attend a financial literacy program with newly-installed Bankruptcy Judge, the Hon. Tyson Crist. Girl Scouts travelled from Cincinnati and Toledo, Ohio - along with Dayton-based Girl Scouts - to attend and participate in this civics education event.
On June 25, 2025, the Eastern District of Kentucky hosted a contingent of Laurel County students in London, KY. The students toured the courthouse, heard from the Chief Probation Officer, visited the US Marshals, and explored the courtroom space.
On Monday, July 7, 2025, the Bankruptcy Court in Dayton hosted a group of high school students participating in the Law & Leadership Institute to discuss the bankruptcy system and becoming a bankruptcy judge. Also participating were former Bankruptcy Judge Guy Humphrey (now Master Docent of historic courthouse tours, which he gave afterward), Chapter 13 Trustee John Jansing, Chapter 13 Trustee’s Counsel Erin Renneker, Attorney Walter Reynolds (Porter Wright), and Kelly Johnson (Coolidge Wall).
Here’s a photo from our Dayton Civics Court Camp – yesterday, day one – the criminal day. Today is the civil day. It was a very successful undertaking and I was honored to be part of it!
This October and November, judges in Dayton are meeting with Dayton Public School students. Here, Magistrate Judge Michael Newman poses with students from Thurgood Marshall School.
A group of 13 people made up of 7 Timorese judges, 3 Timorese prosecutors, and 2 US Embassy personnel visited the Eastern District of Tennessee. The program was organized by the U.S. Department of Justice and AUSA David Lewen who is serving as a Resident Legal Advisor for 14 months in Timor-Leste. The group’s visit included a tour of the Howard H. Baker Jr Federal Courthouse where they were provided lunch with the judges and were provided informative presentations from each agency concerning their role in the judiciary. The group also visited the local State Courts and U.T. College of Law. The group gifted all the presenters with a scarf (as reflected in one of the pictures) which has the name of their country and the colors of their flag.
Chief Judge Reeves hosted the Criminal Practice Class and professor, Melanie Reid, at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Federal Courthouse for Moot Court on February 13, 2020. The students presented a change of plea, an argument of a motion for judgment of acquittal, a 924 (c) motion argument, and argument of a Rule 29 motion in a drug conspiracy trial.
On May 22, 2019, Judge Curtis L. Collier spoke with a group of 8th grade students from The McCallie School which is a boys college-preparatory school located in Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga. The students visited the courthouse to study the mural, Allegory of Chattanooga. Judge Collier also spoke with two additional groups from McCallie later in the week on Thursday and Friday. The total number of students visiting the Court to learn about the history of this piece of artwork was approximately 90 students. This is the third year that the 8th grade students of McCallie School have made it a part of their curriculum to come study this work of art. Judge Collier also spoke to the students about the book, Contempt of Court. The students had read this book earlier in the school year.
This October and November, judges in Dayton are meeting with Dayton Public School students. Here, Magistrate Judge Michael Newman and Senior District Judge Walter H. Rice pose with DPS students from Belmont High School.
