Summer 2005, Vol. 6, No. 1

MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM PROVIDES SUMMER ASSOCIATES WITH UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY

H

ow often do law students get to argue a case before a federal judge? How often do they learn what it is like to be the defendant or a plaintiff in a trial? Summer associates in Columbus and New York are given those very opportunities through the mock trial programs run by Baker & Hostetler in those offices.

In New York, summer associates Dan Burstein (University of Chicago), Kawana King (Harvard), Jessica Lee (Harvard) and Tom Mosher (NYU) participated in a mock jury trial before The Honorable James Orenstein, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York. Judge Orenstein was formerly a litigation partner in B&H’s New York office. The case, entitled

Slippery Jo v. Stamboulidis Shipping, followed the facts of an actual personal injury case handled by the New York office two years ago. Full-time associates played witnesses and the police officer who drafted the accident report, while Dan Burstein and Kawana King acted as counsel for the defendant, meeting with their client, interviewing and preparing her for testimony at trial. The plaintiff’s counsel, (continued page 4)

New York Mock Trial: George Stamboulidis, Partner; Tracy Cole, Partner; Lauren Resnick, Partner; Dan Burstein (University of Chicago); Kawana King (Harvard); Honorable James Orenstein, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York; Jessica Lee (Harvard); Tom Mosher (NYU); Jack Fitzgerald, Associate; and Paul Eyre, Office Managing Partner.

COLUMBUS SUMMER ASSOCIATES

BAKER & HOSTETLER SUMMER ASSOCIATES: IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT THE WORK

A

t Baker & Hostetler, our goal is to provide the law students who join us as summer associates with a challenging, yet enjoyable summer. We want to provide an experience that is representative of what it would be like to be a member of the Baker & Hostetler team. From firm culture to training and professional development to social and cultural activities, the summer experience is designed to expose students to the various components that comprise “life at B&H.”

From left front row: Gregory R. Flax (Michigan), Justin B. Finn (OSU), George W. Hairston (Columbus Office Managing Partner), Mark Hatcher (Capital), Nicole M. Howard-Jahi (Capital); From left rear: Benton B. Bodamer (OSU), Deborah L. Goodrich (CWRU), Megan A. Robinson (OSU).

Being a summer associate offers the opportunity to sample the wide variety of work that goes on at the firm. In just a few months’ time I’ve been able to help with a closing, research issues regarding the media, work on an article about defending white collar crime and research issues from bankruptcy to litigation. —Katie McVoy, Cleveland Office, University of Notre Dame

In order to give the Columbus summer associates a well-rounded view of Baker & Hostetler, a variety of activities was planned for them over the summer. Besides participating in practice group roundtables, the mock trial program and dinners with partners, the summer associates were treated to a tour of the Supreme Court of Ohio, a “Gallery Hop” to local art galleries, a trip to Cleveland for a tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Cleveland Indians game, and a Columbus Crew soccer game.

Cleveland summer associates standing left to right: Brian Bulson (OSU), Gretchen Drenski (OSU), Joslyn Kaye (CWRU), Heather Kimmel (OSU), Kimberly Ruthsatz (Harvard), Kelly Skeat (University of Virginia), Jay Stiffler (CWRU), John Plecnik (Duke), Toni Calbert (Columbia); sitting second row left to right: Robin Lyden (OSU), Katie McVoy (Notre Dame), Melissa DeGaetano (Michigan), Lisa Cox (CWRU); sitting front left to right: Catherine Beck (CWRU) and Gabrielle Kelly (CWRU).

SUMMER ASSOCIATES BECOME BARTENDERS FOR CHARITY

WASHINGTON, D.C., SUMMER ASSOCIATES

Cleveland office summer associates joined summer associates from nine other Cleveland law firms for the First Annual Summer Associate Charity Event. Sponsored by the Law Placement Association of Cleveland (LPAC), summer associates were volunteer bartenders at a local hotspot, the Velvet Dog. The summer associates donated all of their tips to charity. Family, friends and coworkers attended the event and demonstrated their support by giving generous tips. Baker & Hostetler LLP and Ulmer & Berne LLP summer associates, wearing jerseys representing their law schools, joined together to raise over $1,300 for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Overall, over $6,400 was raised for four different local charities. More important, summer associates from multiple Cleveland firms had an opportunity to meet one another and work toward the common goal of helping community organizations.

SUMMER

IN THE

Summer associates in the nation’s capital had the opportunity for “one-of-akind” experiences during their time at B&H. The associates were invited to attend a reception at The University Club, at which U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy was the featured speaker, and a diplomatic reception at the U.S. Department of State. They were also treated to a special tour of the West Wing of the White House.

“MILE HIGH” CITY

“Both Siddhartha and I have “One of the best parts about frequently commented on how working at Baker & Hostetler has surprised and pleased we have been been the attorneys I have had the with the level of work opportunity to we have been able to work with. Not do this summer. My only have they all expectation of receivtaken the time to ing basic research and mentor me in my writing projects has legal work, but been far surpassed by they have also my work helping taken an interest draft complaints, in me as an letters to clients, individual. In reviewing and assem- Denver summer associates addition, through bling exhibits, etc. an array of events Jessica Schmidt and Siddhartha Further, the outside of the Rathod, who both attend the opportunity to work University of Colorado Law office, I have on such a wide range School. gotten to know of projects has many of the allowed me to experience many of attorneys and their families in a the firm’s litigation practice areas, non-work setting further adding to as well as to work directly with a my feeling of belonging at Baker & variety of attorneys. I have found Hostetler.” these projects very valuable.” —Jessica Schmidt, Denver Office, University of Colorado

—Siddhartha Rathod, Denver Office, University of Colorado

From left to right: Kulich Ebi (Howard), Aswathi Zachariah (University of Denver), Carlos Ramos-Mrosovsky (Harvard), Susanne Garner (Boston College), David Annis (Georgetown), Laurie Babinski (Northwestern).

ORLANDO SUMMER ASSOCIATES

Sitting left to right: Tim Pasken (University of Texas at Austin), Ajda Demirdoken (University of Florida), Jorge Castillo (University of Florida); standing left to right: Natalia Medina (University of Florida), Tarsha Luke (Georgetown University) and David Oigarden (Vanderbilt University).

Working near “the happiest place on earth” does have its advantages! Summer associates in our Orlando office were treated to outings at Disney World, Epcot Center and Sea World over the summer. In addition to work-related activities, such as meetings with the Hospitality and Real Estate teams and spending a morning at the Federal courthouse, the summer associates attended a Black Eyed Peas concert and demonstrated their athletic skills during an indoor puttputt tournament in the office lobby.

Mock Trial (continued) Jessica Lee and Tom Mosher, interviewed the police officer and prepared him for his direct and cross-examination. The summer associates were assisted by a number of partners and associates who acted as coaches and assisted in trial preparation. The New York attorneys even played the roles of pre-selected jurors. In Columbus, the Litigation section conducts the mock trials for new first-year litigation associates, with summer associates filling the roles of the parties and witnesses. Two trials were held this summer, based on materials produced by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA). The same case, BMI v. Minicom, a contract dispute concerning a lost shipment of goods, was tried with two different teams

New York summer associates Jessica Lee (Harvard), Dan Burstein (University of Chicago) and Kawana King (Harvard).

Columbus summer associates Greg Flax (University of Michigan) and Mark Hatcher (Capital University) before Judge Harold Paddock.

of associates and summer associates taking part. Summer associates had a very “hands on” experience, because they played the role of the plaintiff, defendant or witness in the trials, which were held in the courtroom of the Columbus Bar Association. A local judge volunteered to assist and hear the case and acted as an advisor to the first-time trial attorneys. Summer associates Ben Bodamer (OSU), Justin Finn (OSU), Greg Flax (University of Michigan), Deborah Goodrich (CWRU), Mark Hatcher (Capital University), Nicole Howard-Jahi (Capital University), Tom Kelly (OSU), and Megan Robinson (OSU) participated in this year’s program.

MOCK TRIAL EXPERIENCE The mock trial project was incredibly rewarding due to its steep learning curve and, quite simply, the exhilaration of standing before a judge in a real courtroom for the very first time. That so many attorneys in the firm stepped up to invest their time and effort in helping us craft our arguments and improve our delivery was much appreciated. The experience was a rare one that I know many of my fellow law students, who are interning at other firms, are incredibly envious of. It is evident that Baker genuinely places a strong emphasis on constantly challenging its people to be better at all that they do. —Jessica Lee, New York Office, Harvard

SUMMER ASSOCIATES SPEAK OUT I have worked on a variety of matters, such as drafting a legal memorandum on a complex commercial landlord/ tenant matter, serving as a translator for a mostly Cambodian speaking client, and helping an attorney write an article on condominium conversions in Downtown Los Angeles and its impact on real estate law. The summer program provides exposure to both transactional and litigation-based practices, which is really useful in deciding which practice I will ultimately end up in. Overall, the program has been exciting and indispensable – Baker & Hostetler’s Los Angeles office has a summer program that has exceeded my expectations. —Sathya Oum, Los Angeles Office, UC Berkeley

Cincinnati summer associates (left to right): Alan Vyas (Univiversity of Cincinnati) and Kelvin Lawrence (University of Michigan).

LA summer associates: Bernice Espinoza (UC Berkeley), Greg Pinto (UCLA) and Sathya Oum (UC Berkeley).

I expected to spend my summer trapped in an office working endless hours on legal memoranda, but my experience at Baker & Hostetler could not have been more different. The Cincinnati office is a welcoming community of talented legal professionals who are eager to teach summer associates how to become great lawyers. In addition to assigning projects that allowed me to develop my research and writing skills, attorneys found ways to include me in closings, CLE presentations and a mediation session. Baker’s expansive practice provided sophisticated work, while the smaller size of the Cincinnati office allowed genuine interaction with both partners and associates. My work assignments in employment, transactions, and litigation prepared me for my second year of law school and helped me to set the course of my career as a practitioner. —Kelvin Lawrence, Cincinnati Office, University of Michigan

What I like most about my experience thus far is the emphasis placed on not only getting to know the attorneys on a professional level, but also on a collegial level. Through social events outside of the office and group lunches during the day, we, as clerks, are able to get a feel for not only what kind of work we would be doing as associates at B&H, but also who we would be doing that work for one day.” —Stephen Olson, Houston Office, University of Texas

Left to right: Associate John Harper, summer associate Stephen Olson (University of Texas) and partner Dean Herms returning from a hearing.

BAKER & HOSTETLER 2005 ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEW SCHEDULE This fall, Baker & Hostetler is interviewing on a campus near you! We recruit at some of the country’s best law schools. Following is the schedule of campus visits by our attorneys who will be interviewing summer associate candidates. Dates are subject to change. Please confirm interview schedules through ww.bakerlaw.com.

CONTACTS Firmwide Hiring Partner Elizabeth A. Dellinger 216.861.7793 [email protected]

Cincinnati—Fax 513.929.0303 Kimberlee Nickolas, Recruiting Coordinator 513.929.3480 [email protected]

Cleveland—Fax 216.696.0740 Jennifer Pethel, Recruiting Coordinator 216.861.7113 [email protected]

Columbus—Fax 614.462.2616

School

Date

Office(s)

Capital University Case Western Reserve University

Sept. Aug. Sept. Sept. Aug. Sept. Aug. Aug. Aug. Aug.

Aug. 24 Oct. 3 Sept. 7 Sept. 30 Aug. 25 Aug. 15 Sept. 20 Sept. 22 Aug. 11 Sept. 7 Sept. 9

Columbus Cleveland Columbus Cleveland All offices Cleveland All offices Orlando New York Cleveland, Columbus, Denver, New York, Orlando, Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. All offices All offices Columbus All offices All offices Houston All offices Cincinnati Columbus Cleveland

Sept. 26

Los Angeles

Sept. 23

Los Angeles

Sept. 16 Sept. 7 Sept. 16 Oct. 5 Sept. 23 Aug. 18 Sept. 14 Aug. 19 Aug. 29 Sept. 16 Sept. 15

Los Angeles All offices Cincinnati Denver Denver Orlando Houston Orlando All offices Washington, D.C. Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Orlando Columbus Cleveland Columbus Los Angeles Houston All offices Houston, New York, Orlando Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus All offices

Cleveland State University Columbia University Cornell University Duke University Florida State University Fordham University Georgetown University George Washington University Harvard University Howard University Indiana University Bloomington New York University Northwestern University South Texas College of Law Stanford University The Ohio State University University of California – Berkeley (Boalt Hall) University of California – Hastings College of Law University of California – Los Angeles University of Chicago University of Cincinnati University of Colorado University of Denver University of Florida University of Houston University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of North Carolina

16 23 12 13 19 6-7 18 25 23 23

Denver—Fax 303.861.7805 Laura Mae Smith, Recruiting Coordinator 303.764.4054 [email protected]

Houston—Fax 713.751.0145 Swafia Ames, Recruiting Coordinator 713.646.1647 [email protected]

Los Angeles—Fax 213.975.1740 Irma Chavira, Recruiting Coordinator 213.975.1714 [email protected]

New York—Fax 212.589.4201 James Coffman, Recruiting Coordinator 212.589.4257 [email protected]

Orlando—Fax 407.841.0168 Kelly Searcy, Recruiting Coordinator 407.649.3929 [email protected]

Washington, D.C.—Fax 202.861.1783 Johnette Roberts, Recruiting Coordinator 202.861.1525 [email protected]

Firmwide—Fax 216.861.6618

Sept. 9 Sept. 16 University of Pennsylvania Sept. 12 University of Southern California Sept. 20 University of Texas Sept. 8 University of Virginia Aug. 26 Vanderbilt University Aug. 29 Sept. 8 Yale Law School Sept. 27 University of Notre Dame

Jeanie Fulton, Recruiting Coordinator 614.462.4703 [email protected]

Dee Driscole, Attorney Recruitment and Development Manager 216.861.7092 [email protected]

LEAP Baker & Hostetler publishes LEAP— both in print and on-line. It is distributed periodically to keep you informed of the legal experience and associate programs (LEAP) across our firm. We know how valuable this updated information is in assisting you in making the jump from your law school to our law firm. If you have comments or a story suggestion, or if you would like to view past issues of LEAP, please visit www.leap2baker.com.