Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Second Circuit CLE

    For attorneys accustomed to practicing in the New York State courts, a case in the federal courts can be a daunting and uncomfortable prospect. The federal courts have a rhythm of their own, determined by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the Federal Rules of Evidence.
    The same is true at the appellate level: an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will introduce an attorney to rules and procedures unseen in the Appellate Divisions and the New York Court of Appeals: the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, local rules of the Second Circuit, case managers, and the Pacer System.
    Making sense of it all is, however, important. As the sheer volume of federal legislation grows, more and more attorneys find themselves in the federal courts, and more and more attorneys must face the prospect of being in the Second Circuit whether as an appellant or an appellee.
    But making sense of it all is possible: the Committee on Courts of Appellate Jurisdiction of the New York State Bar Association is offering two programs this month on Second Circuit practice, The Comprehensive Second Circuit. 
    The first program will be held Wednesday afternoon, October 10, in Syracuse, and the second program will be held Friday afternoon, October 26, in Manhattan. Both programs will feature experienced Second Circuit practitioners, and a Q & A session with judges sitting on the Second Circuit.
   Information on the Syracuse program is available here. Information on the Manhattan program is available here. (Disclosure: I will speak at the Manhattan program.)
   Programs which focus on Second Circuit practice are rare. Take advantage of the opportunity.