A group of 20 high school students and chaperones from Gibbs High School participated in this bi-annual outreach activity. The program began with a tour of the History Suite and courthouse followed by a panel discussion by local attorneys, law students and law school deans.
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Justice for All – October 22, 2019
Judge Stephanie Bowman Presides at GABP Ceremony
On August 16, 2019, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio held its first-ever naturalization ceremony at Great American Ball Park in CIncinnati, Ohio. Prior to a game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals, Magistrate Judge Stephanie Bowman administered the oath of allegiance to 144 new citizens from 43 different countries.
Constitution Day is Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Constitution Day celebrates the enactment of the United States Constitution and all those that have become U.S. citizens. The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. The United States Constitution was first permanent constitution adopted by the people's representatives for an expansive nation. On May 14, 1787 the Constitutional Convention opened in Philadelphia. 55 delegates from 12 states argued, compromised, and created the document which defines the principal organs of government and their jurisdictions and the basic rights of citizens. The Signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, when 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention endorsed the constitution created during the constitutional convention. The original document has been amended 27 times, most recently in 1992. Article Three describes the court system (the judicial branch), including the Supreme Court. No part of the Constitution expressly authorizes judicial review, but the Framers did contemplate the idea. Precedent has since established that the courts could exercise judicial review over the actions of Congress or the executive branch. Since 2004, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is observed each year on September 17 to commemorate the signing of the Constitution in 1787 and to recognize all native born and naturalized U.S. citizens.
Fields of Dreams: Judges Swear In New Citizens at Pro Ballparks
Two of America’s most memory-laden traditions, the welcoming of new citizens and baseball—have come together this year to create a sense of community and diversity at stadiums across the country. In a distinctive celebration of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, federal judges are naturalizing hundreds of citizens at a dozen major and minor league ballparks.
Timor-Leste Delegation
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.
40 Years Later, Pioneering Women Judges Savor Place in History
Federal Judge Sylvia Rambo first thought of a legal career in the 1940s when her school bus drove by a local law school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. “It was like a voice came out of nowhere,” she recalled, “saying, ‘You’re going to be a lawyer.’ ”
Judge Michael Newman Meets Versailles High School Students
Judge Michael J. Newman of the Southern District of Ohio and Career Law Clerk Michael Rhinehart meet with students at Versailles High School in Versailles, Ohio on March 13, 2018.
Judge Newman Meets with Students at Springboro Junior High
In January 2018, Judge Michael Newman, his career law clerk Mike Rhinehart, and his term law clerk LeighAnn Thomas met with approximately 500 8th grade students at Springboro Junior High School in Springboro, Ohio (near Dayton) to talk to these intermediate school students about the federal courts, the difference between criminal and civil cases, how federal judges decide cases, bench trials and jury trials, and the mediation of civil disputes. Judge Newman, Mr. Rhinehart, and Ms. Thomas answered the students' civics questions and discussed with them the importance of fairness and due process. The students also discussed career paths in the law.
Teachers Law School Chattanooga
A total of 14 teachers around the area participated in the Teacher Law School program on November 14, 2019. Judge Curtis L. Collier spoke to the group about Federal Courts. The teachers observed several sentencing hearings before Judge Travis McDonough. One of the highlights of the program for the teachers was the opportunity to participate in a mock voir dire presided over by Judge McDonough. The teachers participated as members of the jury pool. AUSA Kyle Wilson (former law clerk to Judge Mattice) represented the government. Clay Whittaker (CJA panel attorney) represented Defendant Travis Thompson (current career law clerk to Judge McDonough). Following the voir dire event, the group had a Q&A with Judge McDonough and Judge Lee about things they observed during the hearings and mock voir dire. Professor Kody Cooper from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga campus also gave a presentation to the group on Judicial Supremacy and its Challengers.
Lincoln Memorial Duncan School of Law
A total of 14 teachers around the area participated in the Teacher Law School program on November 14, 2019. Judge Curtis L. Collier spoke to the group about Federal Courts. The teachers observed several sentencing hearings before Judge Travis McDonough.