National Office

Board of Regents: Spring Meeting Updates

The Board of Regents met in Maui prior to the Spring Meeting, and their actions included the following approvals:

• Budget for fiscal year 2025-2026
• 80 Candidate proposals
• 2025 Emil Gumpert Award (further information forthcoming)
• White Paper written by the Federal Criminal Procedure Committee: Protective Orders Governing Discovery in Federal Criminal Cases Should Be Reserved for Appropriate Cases and Tailored to Minimize the Burden on a Defendant’s Constitutional Right to an Effective Defense
• White Paper written by the Judicial Independence Committee: Threats to Impeach Judges for Judicial Decisions Undermine the Rule of Law

Since approval of the Strategic Plan last fall (see above photo), the College’s leaders and staff have been addressing several of the identified objectives. In Maui, the Board of Regents approved the following:

• Request for Proposal to identify a public relations firm

Priority 1, Objective 1: Engage a Public Relations Firm

• Partnership Proposal form to assist the Executive Committee in evaluating potential partnerships

Priority 1, Objective 2: Where appropriate, consider strategic partnerships with aligned organizations

• Revisions to Guidelines for Public Statements, including the addition of a decision map that illustrates the process by which College leaders decide when to make a statement

Priority 1, Objective 4: Develop a protocol for timely, unified, non-partisan public statements that reflect the College’s mission

Podcast

Trial Tested: A Podcast by the American College of Trial Lawyers

Trial Tested Season 11 is here! Last week, the podcast premiered an interview with former U.S. Attorney E. Martin Estrada and this week we welcome former White House Counsel Neil Eggleston to the show. Listen every Thursday for new episodes featuring some of today’s most interesting figures in trial law.

National Office

NCC Peer-to-Peer Scholar Program

Each spring, the NCC receives a heightened level of requests for High School Advanced Placement (AP) class reviews, specifically on Landmark Court Cases and Founding Documents. Those requests as well as their other class options are leading into what is expected to be the busiest month in program history. Your participation is vital to the continuing success of this program. You can sign up for more information here, or contact Kevin Lynch, Manager of Student and Teacher Programs directly at klynch@constitutioncenter.org.

In the Spotlight

Robert W. Tarun

Fellow Robert W. Tarun recently published a novel; a fast-paced thriller of high-stake courtroom battles and corruption. To order you can google PRIVILEGED: A LEGAL THRILLER on Amazon or go on the book’s website www.privilegedbook.com.

In the Spotlight

Jack Livingston

The oldest practicing attorney in the state of Alabama, Fellow Jack Livingston, was honored for seventy-five years of service at the March Leadership Forum of the Alabama State Bar Association. 

Heritage Committee

DID YOU KNOW that the first Mexican American lawyer inducted into the College was Reynaldo Guerra Garza? He was also the first Mexican American lawyer appointed to the federal bench in 1961. In 1979, Judge Garza was confirmed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals after declining the appointment of U.S. Attorney General. Judge Garza was also a WW II veteran.

Furthering the Mission

General Committees

National Trial Competition (NTC): NTC Committee members are preparing to travel to Houston, Texas this week for the 50th anniversary of the National Trial Competition. Thirty law school mock trial teams, which prevailed in fifteen regional tournaments, will square off, each hoping to hoist the championship trophy. This year’s finals problem, drafted by a committee of mock trial coaches, features an altercation at a correctional facility which resulted in the death of an inmate. In keeping with longstanding tradition, we look forward to having President Deane join us and preside over the final trial. We expect to see many NTC Committee alumni and local Fellows join us during this anniversary year who will serve as judges in the preliminary rounds.

Furthering the Mission

State and Province Committees

Mississippi: On Friday, April 25 the Mississippi Fellows will be hosting a Boot Camp Trial Training Program. This program has been approved by the MS CLE commission for 6.5 credit hours.  

Southern California: The Southern California Fellows hosted a Boot Camp Trial Training Program for fifty-six lawyers on March 14th at the San Diego County Bar Association Center. The event, organized and led by Monique Carter and Don Rushing, consisted of lectures, presentations, and critiques of critical trial skills using the Julius and Ethel Rosenberg spy case. Virtually all of the presenters were ACTL Fellows or judges from San Diego. Thank you to Hon. Cathy Bencivengo, Dana Grimes, Hon. Larry Burns, Hon. Dan Lamborn, Hon. James Mangione, Eric Acker, Michael Attanasio, Marc Carlos, Charles Dick, Prof. Kimberly Gosling, Gene Iredale, Knut Johnson, Bill Low, David Noonan, Michael Weaver, and Andy Serwin for their presentations and demonstrations.

Mark Your Calendars

View all upcoming events at www.actl.com/events

President's Travel Log