Ribbon-cutting on April 27, 2012. L to R: State Bar employee George Schader, Shirley McAuliffe, former Bar President John Bouma, Chief Justice Rebecca White Berch, former Bar President Alan P. Bayham, Jr.

On Friday, April 27, the State Bar of Arizona hosted a Phoenix ribbon-cutting for its newly configured first-floor offices. Included in the event was the dedication of the new Daniel J. McAuliffe CLE Center, named for a former Bar President and ethics expert.

(Here is my 2007 profile of the inestimable Dan McAuliffe when he became State Bar President, as well as a story I wrote when he died in 2010.)

In this post are a few photos of the event (all photos are by Bob Rink). The full set is available on the Arizona Attorney Magazine Facebook page.

Shirley McAuliffe in front of a State Bar case bearing memorabilia honoring her husband Daniel J. McAuliffe.

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When I say “we,” I certainly mean Americans. But today I am wondering about the view most Arizonans have of the length of time we commit people to the penitentiary.

What got me thinking about it was an odd case—or maybe I should say a commonplace case—out of Winslow, Ariz. There, a man committed felonious acts and was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

Nothing surprising, so far. And yet that everyday occurrence led to a firestorm of publicity and shouts about over-sentencing.

In the January issue of Arizona Attorney Magazine, I wrote our cover story about Arizona’s sentencing regime. I examined the question of whether our state is likely to follow a national trend—even in “conservative” states—to re-examine the number of people we incarcerate and the length of time we imprison them. Based on the evidence and the opinions of lawmakers, sentencing reform is not in the offing.

And this week, the Arizona Republic is covering in detail the method of being granted clemency in this state. As today’s story says:

“Statistically, if you are convicted of a felony in Arizona, you are more likely to be struck by lightning than granted clemency by the governor. Excluding the cases of inmates nearing the end of a terminal illness, [Gov. Jan] Brewer is on track to grant the fewest clemency cases in more than two decades—even when a judge and unanimous board recommend a shorter sentence.

“Recent board members interviewed by The Arizona Republic believe clemency will be granted even less frequently in the future.”

The striking thing about all the coverage of sentencing and clemency is that it causes little to no upset among the typical resident. We are, after all, a law-and-order-state. But then this Norwegian fella drives on a Winslow sidewalk, where he aims for people—adults and children—for which he is handed a 7.5-year prison sentence. And people are angered.

I have been surprised at the number of people who mention the case to me, expressing shock and outrage at the sentence length and seeking my agreement.

But 7.5 years for trying to run people down doesn’t even come close to passing the sentencing-abomination test for me, especially in Arizona. Drive the wrong way down a one-way street, try to hit people with your car, and get sentenced severely? I’ll keep my box of outrage dry for now.

Perhaps we in Arizona are so familiar with all of our annual Midwestern visitors, many whose ancestors hale from Scandinavia. We know Norwegians, people think; they’re nice people. This must have been a misunderstanding, not road rage.

Such compassionate sensitivities do not seem to arise in the wake of lengthy sentences handed down every day for those who may not be Scandinavian.

Today in the Republic, the Navajo County Attorney shared his view of the case and people’s reaction to it. He says he was blindsided by the intense reaction to the sentence. And that reaction, he says, was based on a misunderstanding of the facts:

“[A]bandoning the facts … undermines our justice system, where facts are bedrock. And because justice underpins our quality of life, helping us feel safe in our homes and communities, facts absolutely need to be defended.”

You should read Brad Carlyon’s complete piece here.

And here’s hoping that the many who shook their fists in support of a road-rage-consumed Norwegian will similarly read the Republic’s solid coverage about a clemency process that is reported to be more Broadway show than due process.

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It is a great honor to be named a Super Lawyers “Rising Star”, as one must be nominated by a fellow attorney who has observed him or her in action, and undergo an evaluation by an attorney-led research team which reviews the credentials of each candiate and rates them using defined evaluation criteria. Only those with the highest point totals from the survey and research process are named to the Super Lawyer’s “Rising Stars” list, and no more than 2.5% of the lawyers in the state are named to the list. 

I have mentioned this comedy gig to you a few times. An impressive lineup of comics is slated to perform this Sunday at Phoenix Symphony Hall, all to benefit a Bill of Rights Monument.

Step up, I told you. Play your part, I said. Buy a ticket, I urged.

So this past week, I finally got around to purchasing a few tickets for myself (no, you cynics, no free tickets come our way for stories we covered in Arizona Attorney Magazine; we’re not that kind of publication!). And to my surprise, I was to be located in the second-to-last row.

(I then engaged the Ticketmaster-bot in a game of cat and mouse, over and over, until I managed to move forward—about three rows. Definitely worth my time!)

So it would appear that tickets are selling and people have gotten the message. And no, not just from me. There’s this little publication called the Arizona Republic that’s spilled some ink on behalf of the concert. You can read a recent piece here.

Here’s one last chance to buy a ticket. You may be willing to spend a few more bucks than I was, so your seating results may vary. But click, buy, and laugh. See you on Sunday.

Laugh along with Tom and all the Founding Fathers (on Mother’s Day!)

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You should already have received a link to the ballot in your email. As we explained in Arizona Attorney Magazine:

“The Board of Governors elections will again be conducted online. Does the State Bar have your email address of record? (Rule 32(c)(3), Ariz.R.S.Ct.)

“A special election will be held this year to elect one member from District 6 (Maricopa County) to serve a two-year term. The newly elected member will fill the District 6 seat held by President Joe Kanefield after he completes his term as President. At that time, Joe will become the immediate past president and will serve one more year on the Board in an ex-officio capacity.”

Here is a link to descriptions of all the candidates.

Do you have any questions? Contact Carrie Sherman at 602.340.7201 or carrie.sherman@staff.azbar.org. She’s managing the election process and could answer most any question you could come up with. I guess you could say Carrie is in charge of democracy here at the State Bar (well, somebody’s got to do it!).

Let’s get voting!

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That’s one of the benefits on offer as you consider the fact that the State Bar of Arizona has some excellent office space available for lease.

The three-story building at 4201 N. 24^th Street in Phoenix has many amenities, including a central location, ample parking and ready access to the Bar’s many benefits and services, including its brand-spanking-new Daniel J. McAuliffe CLE Center.

I’m no real estate mogul or anything, but I’m told there are great possibilities available. On this Change of Venue Friday, though, I also can recommend the space because of its proximity to Arizona Attorney Magazine and its award-winning staff.

Of course, we at the magazine welcome interactions with all Bar members, anytime. But lawyers who office in the building might drop by on occasion to make suggestions, pitch stories, or even share a cup of coffee. We like coffee quite a bit, and conversation about law and law practice just as much.

Some detail about the real estate opportunity is here. To see the complete (and well-designed!) flier, click here.

Your next step, if curious, is to contact my wonderful colleague Lisa Bormaster Fontes (602.340.7230 and lisa.bormaster@staff.azbar.org). Lisa is much closer to a real estate mogul than I am, which means she will actually be able to answer your questions.

And for what it’s worth, she’d be great to share a coffee break with, too.

Have a terrific weekend. Here’s hoping I see you by the mailbox some morning.

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Last year, I wrote about the use of therapy dogs in courthouses. In that post, I noted that our own past State Bar of Arizona President Ray Hanna had highlighted the same thing in one of his Arizona Attorney columns.

As I wrote then:

“Over the past few years, animals—usually dogs—have been used more and more in courtrooms around the country, even in Arizona. It’s been discovered that they have a soothing effect on parties and other trial participants. Thus, in their own unique way, dogs may contribute to the administration of justice.”

Ray Hanna and companion in a 2010 President’s Message

Today, we read a story confirming the doggie effect, this time for law students. As finals season grinds to a close, here is how the news story out of Emory Law opens:

In the hallowed library of Emory Law, you can hear the sounds of finals week:
“Oohhhhh!”
“Sit! Sit!”
“Lap!”
The students making these noises are not delirious from studying for exams, but maybe they would be, if not for … therapy dogs.

If your experience is anything like mine, those are not the typical sounds of law school (except for the barked admonition “SIT,” but that’s another post).

Here is the video portion of the story.

brightcove.createExperiences();

Do you agree that dogs could or do improve your legal work life? Write to tell me how.

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Mind you, I’m sure we’ll cover more on the topic in the coming year. But as we approach May 1, the Arizona Attorney Magazine digital edition rolls over to a shiny new issue we call “June.” (Yes, the May issue will still be there, but right now there’s no hunting-for-it to deal with.)

So enjoy some sustainable reading here. Thanks again to lawyer Jennifer Mott for her amazing writing accomplishment.

And in case you don’t receive the print issue in your mailbox, I share below my column from the May issue. As you’ll see, we at the magazine are examining our own carbon footprint. Are you? Is your law firm or employer?

Have a great weekend. Here’s my column:

Recycling Ideas

A time of economic troubles may seem an odd occasion to visit a topic like green law offices.

After all, lawyers everywhere are scrambling for the best ways to survive and thrive in a global downturn. Trees and how to save them may not be top of mind.

But as our coverage this month by lawyer Jennifer Mott explains, the green law office is not so much about trees as it is about growth—of your practice and efficiency. (OK, it’s also a bit about the trees.)

(Click on the magazine page to make it larger.)

Today, there are some glimmers in the economic news that indicate a meager recovery may be in the offing. As that develops, lawyers will seek savings and smart practices wherever they can. And what we’ve dubbed “Earthwise Lawyering” may be a place to start.

On the ever-rising seas, we are all in the same boat, and I have to confess that we too have a ways to go. The State Bar of Arizona has made environmental inroads with methods as simple as window films to increase efficiency. But at Arizona Attorney, we still abide by the truism, “It takes a forest to raise a magazine.”

Jennifer’s coverage has been a spur to rethink our own paper use.

Years ago, we examined the option of fully or partially recycled paper. But the cost was substantially higher, and fellow magazine-folk said the quality was spotty. Neither was the result we wanted in our member magazine.

In 2012, though, cost is down and quality is up. Therefore, we will explore with our printer the use of various eco-friendly papers. Perhaps we might even achieve Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification (more information is at http://www.fsc.org/).

Would you welcome such an outcome in your magazine? And have you made your own legal–environmental strides? Tell us your story at arizona.attorney@azbar.org.

***

You may remain unmoved by the (melting) iceberg that is sustainable law practice. But here is a green story we all can support.

For more than a decade, I’ve had the pleasure of reading the work of law students, courtesy of an annual competition at the University of Arizona Law School. And let me tell you—these greenhorns can turn a phrase.

The Richard Grand Legal Writing Competition is named for (and funded by) a UA Law alum whom I’ve written about before. This year, the winners in his competition (in prize order) are: Jared Jorde (2L), Matthew Chandler (2L), Joseph Austin (1L) and Benjamin Harville (3L) (tie), and Annie Ross (1L). (More detail on the competition is here: http://wp.me/pEOwt-1zm)

The other competition judges were Justice Robert M. Brutinel, Arizona Supreme Court; Commissioner Wendy Morton, Maricopa County Superior Court; and attorneys Troy Larkin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Jeremy A. Lite, Quarles and Brady LLP.

Thank you to the Law School for including me in this tradition once again. And congratulations to the winners.

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One of the more unique CLE offerings I’ve seen will occur tonight. It is hosted by the Arizona Diamondbacks and will be held—where else—at the ballpark.

The impressive panel is comprised of sports law attorneys (including the talented Nona Lee, whom we covered here in Arizona Attorney Magazine).

After the 5:30 CLE, the first pitch in the game against the Phillies is at 6:40, and legal learners are encouraged to stick around for the matchup.

Here is more about the CLE series. And the complete form is below (click to make it larger).

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I’ve written before about the Phoenix Comedy Festival that is slated as a fundraiser for a first-in-the-nation Bill of Rights Monument. But today’s about the comedy, not the limestone slabs.

So before you do anything else, you may want to click here to purchase Comedy Festival tickets.

If you read my story on the Monument in the May Arizona Attorney Magazine (here’s hoping), then you may have been troubled that the link didn’t work. Apparently, Ticketmaster changed things around, or something. But none of that matters now, because you have the correct link. (See what I did there; I put the link in AGAIN, so you couldn’t miss it.)

And while you’re at it, I’ve learned that there is a more direct way to get to the page where you can donate for the Monument (and even specify the amendment you most support!). That link is here, on the MyBillofRights website.

So here’s hoping I see you on May 13. That is also Mother’s Day, so either we’re bringing our moms, or we have a lot of explaining to do. So while you’re at it, maybe you should buy two tickets. (It’s the least we can do for the hardest-working Bill of Rights ever!)

And because I like to support good writing (and not just limestone monoliths), here is an Arizona Republic column on the topic by E.J. Montini. Funny, funny stuff.

Let’s get laughing. It’s the patriotic thing to do.

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