Creation of “Newly Admitted Lawyers' Division” — Inaugural “Meet and Greet” Event with COFC Judges

Thursday August 14th, 2014 to Thursday August 14th, 2014

Inaugural Meeting/Reception

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Meeting at 4:00pm

Reception at 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Tayloe House

National Courts Complex, 717 Madison Place, NW

REGISTRATION IS FREE, BUT REQUIRED - SEE BELOW

At the annual Judicial Conference, held on February 25, 2014, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims Bar Association established a Newly Admitted Lawyers' Division.  Craig Schwartz, an associate at Baker Botts L.L.P. and former law clerk for Judge Wheeler, was elected the Division’s inaugural President.  Mr. Schwartz was the winner of the Bar Association’s 2010 Writing Competition, as well as the Federal Circuit Bar Association’s 2011 Writing Competition.  In addition to clerking for Judge Wheeler, Mr. Schwartz formerly clerked for Chief Judge Carl Stewart of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

A forthcoming designate by the U.S. Department of Justice will serve as the Division’s President-Elect, and will become President at the Fall 2015 Judicial Conference.  Tanya Koenig, a trial attorney at the Department of Justice; Nathaniel Canfield, an associate at Venable LLP and former law clerk for Judge Christine Miller; Danielle Strait, an attorney at Maglio Christopher & Toale, P.A. and former law clerk for Chief Special Master Golkiewicz; and Meredith Daniels, an attorney at Conway, Homer and Chin-Caplan, P.C., were elected to the Division’s Board of Governors.  The Department of Justice will name two additional designates to the Board.  Meghan Phillips, a current law clerk for Judge Merow; Danielle Sgro, a current law clerk for the Office of Special Masters; and Richard Hagerman, a current law clerk for Judge Firestone, were elected Law Clerk Liaisons.  Ian Gaunt, an associate at Marzulla Law, LLC, was appointed Secretary of the Division.

All current members of the Bar Association in good standing who have been admitted to practice at the Court for less than ten years, irrespective of age, will be automatically enrolled as members of the Division.  Current Court of Federal Claims and Office of Special Masters law clerks also will be automatically enrolled as members of the Division for the term of their clerkships.

The Division will be hosting its inaugural event from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, August 14, at Tayloe House (within the Court complex at 717 Madison).  The event will be free, and will include beer, wine, and appetizers.  Chief Judge Campbell-Smith, as well as Judges Wheeler and Kaplan, will speak on a panel concerning “Best Practices for Newly Admitted Lawyers Practicing Before the Court.”  Mr. Schwartz will moderate the panel.  After the panel speaks, there will be an informal meet-and-greet with the three judges.

Immediately preceding the event, at 4:00pm, there will be a meeting in Tayloe House for all interested members of the Division who are in good standing with the Bar Association.  At this meeting, those in attendance will have an opportunity to vote on ratification of the Division’s recently drafted bylaws, copies of which will be distributed at the meeting.

When arriving at the National Courts Building, you must check in at the security desk in the main lobby to be screened and to obtain a visitors' badge. The Court Security Officers will then direct you to the Tayloe House for the event. 

REGISTRATION IS FREE, BUT REQUIRED - PLEASE CLICK ON THE "REGISTER NOW" LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

Going forward, the Division plans to conduct educational and social programming in conjunction with recurring Court functions, including the annual Law Clerk Breakfast held each fall and the annual Law Clerk Swearing-In Ceremony held each spring.  Finally, the Division plans to work with the Court of Federal Claims Clerk’s Office to establish a formal pro bono referral program for qualified pro se filers.

For more information about the Newly Admitted Lawyers' Division, please contact Mr. Schwartz at craig.schwartz@bakerbotts.com or at (202) 639-7834.

Registration for this event is closed.