The Litigation Section is involved in a wide range of activities of interest to litigators. These activities present the opportunity for continuing professional growth meeting fellow bar members.

Programs

The Litigation Section sponsors or cosponsors a wide range of programs on pre-trial and trial skills, effective advocacy, and other topics, many of which are certified for CLE credit in states that have mandatory CLE requirements. For example:

• In the spring of 1998, the section held a luncheon program at which Assistant White House Counsel Robert N. Weiner, and former counsels discussed the workings of that office. The program was later broadcast by C-Span.
• In the fall of 1998, the Bar’s CLE committee and the Litigation Section held its annual "Pre-Trial Skill Series" in which prominent members of the Bar taught classes on drafting and answering complaints, motions practice, and other practical topics of interest to litigators.
• In November 1998, the section cosponsored a program on "Forum Shopping: What Every Litigator Must Know."
• The section regularly sponsors tours of the new electronic courtroom of the U.S. District Court.

     Section members attend programs at discounted prices and also assist in planning and presenting courses. In addition to education programs, we host an annual reception at which section members have the opportunity to meet and get to know judges from the district and federal courts in an informal setting. Justice Ginsburg attended our most recent reception.

Publications

Not only does the section publish a quarterly newsletter, but the publications committee also prepares and publishes digests of local court opinions. We are currently exploring publishing D.C. Superior Court opinions on-line.

Public Service

The section acts as a voice for its members. We submit comments on proposed court rules and other issues and support community outreach activities.

• In September 1998, the Litigation Section sent a letter on behalf of its members to President Clinton respectfully urging that the president take action to address the current backlog in the nomination and confirmation of federal judges.
• In April 1999, the Litigation Section submitted comments to the Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Judicial Conference of the United States on proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Evidence.
• The section donated $10,000 this year to the D.C. Bar’s Pro Bono Program and $8000 to Free the Children to fund a college scholarship for underprivileged D.C. youth. This fall the Litigation Section will participate in staffing the Pro Bono Program Advice & Referral Clinic on Saturday mornings.

Join Us!

We think there are tangible benefits to Litigation Section membership. If you have any questions about the section, what it does, or how you can become more active, please call or e-mail any member of the Steering Committee.