Center for Excellence in Advocacy

NKU Chase College of Law, Center for Excellence in Advocacy hosts the premiere mock trial competition in the Commonwealth at the Kenton County Justice Center in Covington, Kentucky. The top student litigators from NKU Chase, University of Kentucky, and University of Louisville compete for the title of best advocates in Kentucky. Each round is judged by some of the best litigators and judges from Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. Chase students, faculty and community members are encouraged to attend and show their support!

Contact: Lindsey Jaeger, Director of Centers and Institutes Administration   859.572.7853
Email: jaegerl1@nku.edu

Grosse Moot Court Competition - Jan 26, 2013

The NKU Chase Moot Court Board will host its annual W. Jack Grosse Moot Court Competition on January 26, 2013, at 12:15 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.

Four Chase students will present oral arguments for a fictitious case in front of sitting Kentucky and Ohio judges who will critique and score the students.

Contact: Lindsey Jaeger, Director of Centers and Institutes Administration   859.572.7853
Email: jaegerl1@nku.edu

How to Drive Your Judge Nuts - Mar 27, 2013

Attention law students and practicing attorneys! Don't learn what drives a judge nuts the hard way. The Center for Excellence in Advocacy presents its First Annual Judges' Dinner. A panel of federal and state judges will share their courtroom experiences observing attorneys exhibiting irritating and unprofessional behavior.

The program is anticipated to receive approval for 1.5 CLE credit hours. (Ethics Credits in KY; Professionalism Credits in OH).

Contact: Lindsey L. Jaeger, J.D., Director of Centers and Institutes Administration   859-572-7853
Email: jaegerL1@nku.edu

Center for Excellence in Advocacy Celebration - Apr 25, 2013

Center for Excellence in Advocacy Celebration - Apr 25, 2013

The Center for Excellence in Advocacy continues Chase College of Law's tradition of innovative advocacy skills training through a unique partnership of law students, faculty, and seasoned practitioners. By participating in the Center's activities, students learn practical skills related to pretrial practice, negotiating, mediating, trial advocacy, and appellate advocacy. The Center enables students to develop the skills necessary to handle a case from beginning to end. This event celebrates the achievements of the Chase law students who have been active in the Center for Excellence in Advocacy in the 2012-2013 academic year.

Contact: Lindsey Jaeger, Director of Centers and Institutes Administration   859.572.7853
Email: jaegerl1@nku.edu

News and Past Events

[2012]  [2011]  [2010]  [2009]  

Annual CEA Celebration

Apr 23, 2012 - The Center for Excellence in Advocacy continues Chase College of Law's tradition of innovative advocacy skills training through a unique partnership of law students, faculty, and seasoned practitioners. By participating in the Center's activities, students learn practical skills related to pretrial practice, negotiating, mediating, trial advocacy, and appellate advocacy. The Center enables students to develop the skills necessary to handle a case from beginning to end. This event celebrates the achievements of the Chase law students who have been active in the Center for Excellence in Advocacy in the 2011-2012 academic year.

The first Certificates for Excellence in Advocacy will be awarded to Elizabeth Acciani and Pete Tripp. James Allen, Andrea Costa Lader, Tracy Davis, Lisa Gentry, Zach Peterson, and Pete Tripp will be inducted into the Order of Barristers.

Chase Alum Honored at Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards Luncheon

Judge Michelle M. Keller '90

Apr 23, 2012 - Judge Michelle M. Keller '90 was honored Friday, April 20 at the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards luncheon in Erlanger. The awards were initiated in 1984 by the late Nancy Boothe, wife of then-NKU President Leon E. Boothe. Judge Keller joins a long line of outstanding local women recognized for blazing trails, opening doors or demonstrating leadership in their homes, their professions, their communities or their state. The event was sponsored by Toyota and Northern Kentucky Magazine.

Judge Keller was elected to the Kentucky Court of Appeals in November 2006 to serve as judge for Division 1 of the 6th Appellate District. Additionally, she was elected by her peers to serve as the Court of Appeals representative on the Judicial Conduct Commission which she did from 2007 through February 2012. She is the current chair of the Court Technology Governance Committee.

Prior to her election, Judge Keller practiced law for 17 years. She has served both as an assistant county prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. Judge Keller's practice concentrated in the areas of family law, personal injury, and medical negligence defense. She is also experienced in administrative law, representing numerous clients before state regulatory and licensure boards, and has served as a member of, and hearing officer for, the Kentucky Personnel Board. Judge Keller is Chairwoman Emeritus of that board. She is licensed to practice law in Kentucky, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky and the United States Supreme Court. Judge Keller served as a Special Justice to the Kentucky Supreme Court and has been commended twice by the Kentucky House of Representatives for her service to the Commonwealth.

While working as a licensed registered nurse in critical care since 1982, Judge Keller went on to earn her J.D. from Northern Kentucky University's Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 1990. As a student at Chase, Judge Keller was an IOLTA Scholar. In 2007, she received the Chase Excellence Award and was the recipient of the Chase Exceptional Service Award in 2011.

Judge Keller has served in various positions for both the Northern Kentucky and Kentucky Bar Associations. In 2009, she received the KBA's Donated Legal Services Award. She is a Master in the Salmon P. Chase Inn of Court and formerly chaired the Program/Awards Committee for the Inn.

Judge Keller has served her community through various volunteer and board positions. Among those served are the Diocesan Catholic Children's Home, the Northern Kentucky Children's Advocacy Center, Villa Madonna Academy, Centre College, NKU Salmon P. Chase College of Law and the St. Thomas More Society.

She was recently appointed by American Bar Association President Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III to serve on the ABA Ethics and Professional Responsibility Judges Advisory Committee.

A life-long Kentuckian, Judge Keller and her husband, Jim, a physician, are the proud parents of two daughters.

Chase Student Assists in Burglary Conviction

Josh McIntosh

Apr 04, 2012 - A jury in Kenton County has found former pro football prospect Willie Williams guilty of second-degree burglary for burglarizing an area home. He was also found guilty of being a persistent felony offender. Chase 3L Josh McIntosh assisted Kenton Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders in prosecuting the case. "It was a great experience. The best so far," McIntosh said. "It confirmed I want to practice my career in the courtroom."

Chase alum Judge Patricia Summe '79 will sentence Williams on May 8. The charges are punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison; the jury recommended a 15-year sentence.

Chase Team Reaches Semifinals in Moot Court Competition

Joshua Hartman argues before the judge. Photo by Mark Van Bergh.

Mar 30, 2012 - Chase 3Ls Colby Cowherd and Joshua Hartman were semifinalists in the 18th Annual National Telecommunications Moot Court Competition. This is the second consecutive Chase team to reach the semifinal round of the National Telecommunications Moot Court Competition.

The competition was held at The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in Washington D.C. and hosted by the Moot Court Association of The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law (CUA), the Institute for Communications Law Studies, and the Federal Communications Bar Association (FCBA).The team was coached by Professor Kenneth Katkin.

Inn of Court Information Session

Mar 29, 2012 - Interested in participating on Inn of Court 2012-2013? Judge Joy Moore will explain the Inn of Court and the opportunities it provides for students to work closely in a group with judges, law firm partners, and many more well-respected lawyers and Chase alumni in the community. Inn of Court participants receive their attention, assistance, support and critiques once a month and gain the confidence and skills of a seasoned attorney.

To be a member of Inn of Court you must agree to:

? Attend at least five of eight Inn of Court meetings in 2012-2013

? Participate in a Pupilage Group, which will require meetings beyond those of the monthly night meetings of the Inn

To apply to be a member of Inn of Court 2012-2013, you are encouraged to attend the Informational Session. To apply please submit the following documents by email to innofcourt@listserv.nku.edu no later than 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2012:

1. Resume

2. Chase Transcripts; and

3. A cover letter stating why you want to join the Inn, including whether you aspire to do litigation and whether you currently work for any member of the Inn of Court.

Please RSVP to attend the Inn of Court Information Session by email to Admin. Director Lindsey Jaeger at jaegerl1@nku.edu.

Inn of Court Information Session

Mar 28, 2012 - Interested in participating on Inn of Court 2012-2013? Judge Joy Moore will explain the Inn of Court and the opportunities it provides for students to work closely in a group with judges, law firm partners, and many more well-respected lawyers and Chase alumni in the community. Inn of Court participants receive their attention, assistance, support and critiques once a month and gain the confidence and skills of a seasoned attorney.

To be a member of Inn of Court you must agree to:

? Attend at least five of eight Inn of Court meetings in 2012-2013

? Participate in a Pupilage Group, which will require meetings beyond those of the monthly night meetings of the Inn

To apply to be a member of Inn of Court 2012-2013, you are encouraged to attend the Informational Session. To apply please submit the following documents by email to innofcourt@listserv.nku.edu no later than 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2012:

1. Resume

2. Chase Transcripts; and

3. A cover letter stating why you want to join the Inn, including whether you aspire to do litigation and whether you currently work for any member of the Inn of Court.

Please RSVP to attend the Inn of Court Information Session by email to Admin. Director Lindsey Jaeger at jaegerl1@nku.edu.

Center for Excellence in Advocacy Hosts 3rd Annual Closing Argument Competition

L-R: Tiffanny Smith, Russell Elliott, and Joseph Cunningham

Mar 28, 2012 - The Center for Excellence in Advocacy and the Chase Student Advocacy Society held the third annual Closing Argument Competition on Saturday, March 24, in the Chase moot courtroom. Students were given approximately ten minutes to give a closing argument to competition judges who served as the jury. Second-year student Russell Elliott finished in first place, second-year student Tiffanny Smith won second place, and first-year student Joseph Cunningham received third place.

3rd Annual CSAS Closing Argument Competition

Mar 24, 2012 - [article not currently available]

Chase Team Advances to Semifinals in Advocacy Competition

L-R: Lindsey Shepherd, Jaime Glinka, Allison Cox, and John David Tynes

Mar 22, 2012 - On March 2-4, 2012, a team from Chase's Trial Advocacy Competition program competed in Louisville in the Student Trial Advocacy Competition sponsored by the American Association of Justice. The team representing Chase consisted of Allison Cox, Jaime Glinka, Lindsey Shepherd, and John David Tynes. The competition was hard-fought and very close, with all teams performing at a very high level in trying a civil personal injury case. The Chase team advanced to the semifinals of the competition, barely missing the finals in a very close semifinal match against Notre Dame. The team was coached by Luke Busam, Michael Mahon '10, Carrie Masters-Starts '03, and Professor Jack Harrison. Congratulations to this team for their performance and exciting representation of the College of Law.

Advocacy Center Presents CLE Program

Juvenile Law Expert Josh Tepfer

Mar 21, 2012 - In Oct. 1992 in Dixmoor, IL, five teenagers were arrested when three of them admitted that the group raped and killed their classmate fourteen-year-old classmate. Two and a half years later and twenty miles north in Cook County, four other teenagers confessed to raping and beating to death a sex worker over a drug debt. After more than 140 years of combined incarceration, all were exonerated when DNA evidence pointed to adult violent offenders.

NKU Chase College of Law and the Center for Excellence in Advocacy present juvenile law attorney Josh Tepfer, post-conviction counsel for the Dixmoor Five and Englewood Four to discuss how and why this happened, why it has likely happened to other juveniles not yet identified, the steps he took that led to the exonerations, and what we can do to prevent other horrific tragedies like these in the future.

Lunch is included, and application for 1.5 hours of CLE credit is pending in Kentucky. Registration for students, faculty and staff is Complimentary. Cost is $20 for alumni and $30 for the general public.

Online registration for the general public and NKU Alumni is available at http://chaselaw.nku.edu/centers/advocacy/wjc/ NKU students, faculty and staff please RSVP to Admin. Director Lindsey Jaeger.

Chase Appellate Advocacy Ranked 15th in Nation

Mar 19, 2012 - Chase College of Law's appellate advocacy program finished the year 2011 ranked 15th in the nation out of the 114 law schools included in the ranking system. The rankings are posted on the website lawschooladvocacy.com.

In 2011, Chase teams were National Champions in the Robert F. Wagner Labor and Employment Law Competition In New York City; Runners-up in the National Moot Court Competition in Child Welfare and Adoption Law in Columbus; Runners-up in the National Latino/a Law Student Association Moot Court Competition in New Orleans; and Finalists in the August A. Rendigs, Jr. National Products Liability Moot Court Competition in Cincinnati.

"I think the ranking shows just how well our students prepare and perform at these national competitions," said Associate Dean Lawrence Rosenthal, is the Moot Court Program's advisor. "The ranking is based, in part, on how many competitions in which a school competes, and to finish in the top fifteen without competing in nearly as many competitions as some of the schools ranked ahead of us shows just how strong and prepared our students are."

"Most of the students who compete spend hours in the Advanced Appellate Advocacy course and then spend countless more hours preparing the briefs and practicing oral arguments, " said Rosenthal. "Prior to competing, most students have at least twenty practice arguments under their belts. All of this practice, although grueling, has been paying off."

"We would not be nearly as successful as we are if we did not have the support of the faculty members who coach the teams and who serve as practice judges," he said. "Also, we have started using more moot court alumni to help coach or serve as practice judges, and I am hoping we can increase the number of alums who get involved."

Chase Team is National Finalist, Wins Best Brief Award at Moot Court Competition

Lesley Olsen and Coleman Hurt

Mar 15, 2012 - Chase 3L Lesley Olson and 2L Coleman Hurt competed in the 2012 Gabrielli Family Law Moot Court Competition at Albany Law School, held February 23-25. After winning the Best Brief award, and after advancing out of the preliminary rounds, Ms. Olson and Mr. Coleman defeated American University in the round of 16; the University of Chicago in the round of 8; and Seton Hall in the round of 4. They then lost a very close final round to Florida State, and they ended up as the National Finalists (second place out of 24 teams).

The students would like to thank NKU Chase alums Danielle Ravencraft '10 and Christen Steimle '10, who volunteered hours of their time to coach them.

Tall, Grande or Venti?

Mar 14, 2012 - Tall, Grande or Venti? The Practice of Law from the Perspectives of Various Scale Firms

Panelists include: Andrew Vandiver, Associate with Adams, Stepner, Woltermann & Dusing PLLC and Christina L. Fischer, Associate with Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Presented by Career Development.

Closing Argument Competition Information Session

Feb 29, 2012 - Experience advocacy in action by taking part in the 3rd annual CSAS Closing Argument Competition on March 24, 2012! Make your mistakes in school and not in the courtroom. Attend an information session for complete details! Contact Lisa Gentry for more information. Sign-up for the competition is available on TWEN.

Make Partner in Your First Year!

Steven D. Jaeger, '07

Feb 22, 2012 - Make Partner in Your First Year: How to Start & Run Your Own Practice:

Chase Career Development and the Center for Excellence in Advocacy presents a series of presentations where students can meet and hear from local attorneys from a variety of styles of practicing law. On Feb. 22, local business owner, general practitioner, and Chase alum, Steven D. Jaeger, Esq. '07, will speak to students about his path to opening his own firm, the pros and cons of starting a practice and business, and the certain (and uncertain) pitfalls to avoid when starting a firm. Don't consider opening your own firm without these essential tips and guidelines! Jaeger is the founding partner of The Jaeger Firm, PLLC, of Erlanger, KY. Pizza and drinks will be served. Students planning to attend should RSVP on Chase Symplicity under the Events tab.

E-Discovery Panel Presentation

Feb 21, 2012 - The NKU Chase Center for Excellence in Advocacy presents a full panel presentation and discussion concerning every practitioner's reality - electronic discovery. Frost Brown Todd attorneys Robert Dibert and Rebecca Bates Manno join Brett Burney of Burney Consultants to elaborate on the technical and legal issues concerning e-discovery. This topic concerns every field of legal practice and is something of which every new lawyer should be aware.

Toastmasters International Speech Contest

Feb 17, 2012 - This contest is open to all students. Winner advances to the regional competition with the opportunity to compete at the International Level. If you are not a member of Toastmasters and want to compete, contact Brian Budai at budaib1@mymail.nku.edu. If you are a member of Toastmasters and want to compete, contact Jennifer Sandlin. Any Toastmaster members who want to be a Judge or help organize the event contact Jennifer Sandlin.

NKU Chase Client Counseling Team Wins Regionals

Jennifer Parr and Brian Whitney

Feb 17, 2012 - The NKU Chase Client Counseling Team of Jennifer Parr and Brian Whitney won the regional competition and will advance to the American Bar Association National Client Counseling Competition on March 16-17, 2012 in Durham, North Carolina. Tangela Edwards and Andrea Costa Laden also participated in the competition.

The competition simulates a law office consultation in which law students, acting as attorneys, are presented with a client matter. Competitors conduct an interview with a person playing the role of the client and then explain how they would proceed further in the hypothetical situation. The regional competition included nine teams from five law schools.

"I'm delighted with their accomplishment," said team coach Prof. Richard Graves. "They prevailed over teams from many other fine schools, including the one that fielded last year's national champions. Their success is even more impressive given that they are both evening students who have demanding, full-time day positions. Their success is a direct result of their impressive focus and commitment toward developing the realistic lawyering skills that this competition requires, and that Chase emphasizes."

Both Chase Client Counseling Teams would like to extend special thanks to Professor Graves for his leadership. In addition, the Chase Client Counseling Teams and the Center for Excellence in Advocacy would like to thank CSAS Competitions Chair, Racheal Stump; Tiffanny Smith, 2012-13 CSAS Student Director; and Coordinator Jeannine Abukhater Lambert '11, for their roles in hosting the competition at NKU Chase College of Law. NKU Chase College of Law would like to thank the multitude of friends of Chase and Chase alumni for volunteering their valuable time to act as clients and serve as judges of the competition.

Labor and Employment Law Outreach Panel Presentation

Feb 16, 2012 - Interested in or familiar with any of the following areas: employment discrimination, labor unions, rights and responsibilities of employers and employees, arbitration and ADR, employee benefits, wage and hour litigation, occupational health and safety, railway and airline law, worker's compensation, immigration law? Interested in learning about protecting yours and others' rights in labor and employment? Come listen to one of the most distinguished labor law panels in the area comprising of government agency and union representatives, Randy Freking, managing partner of Freking & Betz, LLC, the largest plaintiff's-side employment firm in the Midwest, and Faith Isenhath, Associate at Dinsmore & Shohl and Chase grad, arguably the largest employment defense firm in the region. This ABA-sponsored panel presentation will give you insight into the labor and employment field and all of its variations in a way that could not be had outside of law school.

Sponsored the Center for Excellence in Advocacy, the Chase Student Advocacy Society, and Career Development.

Grosse Moot Court Competition

Jan 21, 2012 - The NKU Chase Moot Court Board will host its annual W. Jack Grosse Moot Court Competition on January 21, 2012, at 12:15 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.

Four Chase students will present oral arguments for a fictitious case in front of actual Kentucky and Ohio judges who will critique and score the students. The competitors will be Nathan Lennon, Ashley Brucato, Kathleen Shields, and Ian Mitchell. Judges will be Kentucky Court of Appeals Judge Michelle M. Keller '90, United States District Court Magistrate Judge Candace J. Smith '92, and Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge William Mallory, Jr. '86.

The two issues the students will be arguing are:

1. Whether members of a white supremacist group are protected from religion-based discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

2. Whether being Jewish is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification for being a server in a kosher deli.

Mr. Lennon and Ms. Brucato will be representing the white supremacist, while Ms. Shields and Mr. Mitchell will be representing the deli that refused to hire him.

Students, professors, family, and friends are invited to attend this event. Courtroom attire.