Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Discovering Larry Rice’s Not-So-Hidden Talent By: Jennifer Bicknell



            Larry Rice took to the podium Tuesday as guest lecturer for Lynda Black, Professor of Family Law at University of Memphis School of Law.  The topic Larry was asked to lecture on was Discovery in Divorce Litigation, however, as he always does, Larry provided much, much more.  Ever the ambassador, Larry opened his lecture with a ringing endorsement of the practice of family law with the promise that it can actually be fun.  As a clerk at Rice Law for almost two years, I can attest to that fact and state that while we work very hard, we also have more fun than people probably think lawyers can or should have at work.

            Larry discussed written discovery such as Interrogatories, Requests for Production of Documents, and Requests for Admissions.  Although written discovery can be admittedly dull, Larry made sure to enlighten the students to the true benefit of these written responses once the opposing party takes the stand or the deponent’s chair.  Larry also discussed the strategy behind depositions and even entered into a mock deposition with one of the students in the class.

            Throughout the 50-minute class, Larry’s energy and passion for what he does shown through and I am sure the only thing Larry would have liked at the end was another 50 minutes just to tell stories.  Larry is truly in his element when he is given an audience and able to discuss what he loves.  So, did Larry miss his calling?  Should he have traveled a different path into academia?  For anyone who has worked with Larry and especially anyone who has been represented by Larry, the answer to those questions is a definite and loud – NO!


Thursday, October 9, 2014

Yes Means Yes law by Justin Steele



            California Governor Jerry Brown signed  into law  the Yes Means Yes law the other day, which requires universities within the state to have protocols defining affirmative consent for sexual activities between students.  The goal, obviously, is to make it a little easier for the victims of sexual assault to prove that they did not consent to the advances of their alleged attacker.  By having a law that requires explicit and continuing consent throughout whatever sexual activities occur, the legislature created an environment where the victim won’t be blamed for their silence.   What is interesting to me about the law is that in clause (b)(7) we have a requirement for the university to provide a written statement to law enforcement concerning the alleged assault.   I am certainly not a criminal law expert, however, it would seem to me that the most logical course of action for both the victim and the university is to immediately report the sexual assault to law enforcement.  How did a university’s college disciplinary committee become the go-to authority when a crime has occurred?
            Surprising to no one, there have been some critiques of the new law, which essentially boil down to the idea that if you have to ask for permission it’s not fun.  While I think those arguments are weak, I think universities may have a problem with the clause which requires the disciplinary committees to look at the assault from the lower preponderance of the evidence standard.  In criminal trials the required standard is a showing that the accused committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.  I find it interesting that when a quasi-judicial body is involved there is a lower standard despite the fact that being expelled and labeled as a rapist can affect a person’s life for ever.  I am assuming that will be the argument made when this law gets a constitutional challenge.  The state will argue that it’s okay for the school to have a lower standard because it’s not an actual criminal trial and would hardly meet the requirements of a formal adjudication.  Which brings us back to the question I asked earlier, how did a college disciplinary committee become the go-to authority when a crime has occurred?
            The truth is, I have no idea.  I imagine that it became common for women who have been sexually assaulted to go to campus police.  Campus police retained the information and presented the sexual assault report to the university.  The university created a committee to handle the sexual assault and keep it quiet.  Meanwhile, the victim decided to go along with it because she forgot that a criminal conviction is much more serious than an expulsion from a university.  Regardless of any Yes Means Yes laws or No Means No laws, a victim should report to the police.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Preparation by Justin Steele



           One thing that I have learned as a clerk here at Rice, Amundsen, & Caperton is the art of preparation.  A genius once said, “The three most important things an attorney can focus on are preparation, preparation, and preparation.”  From the beginning, it’s necessary to have an eye toward the possibility of litigation.  Sometimes when people are getting divorced they can be a little upset.  Anger and frustration are unavoidable and necessary reactions to an incredibly difficult part of any client’s life.  However, often times that anger and frustration turns into a lawyer having to be prepared to go to bat for many little legal issues.  While the goal is always settlement, it would be a bad idea for an attorney to forget that settlements fall apart quickly and litigation may be the result.  Litigation is not the only thing you have to be prepared for.  For instance, sometimes you have to prepare to meet with a client.   Often times, preparation means looking back through your own notes or mentally preparing to tell a client that you will be parting ways shortly.  On complicated cases, preparation may include the regular acts of researching, writing, getting all your files together, organizing, and indexing,  as well as, holding mock trials and having a team of people throw the most off the wall questions at you.
            Regardless of the way that you prepare or your attorney prepares, everyone can agree that preparation is absolutely the most important thing an attorney can do.  Preparation can make or break a case and an attorney’s practice.