I had two sure-fire conversation starters when I was a young lawyer -- the 1997 National Championship Arizona Wildcats basketball team, and that I was Tom Mauet's student. I wasn't his student the way a generation of newly minted, nervous BarBri studiers from around the country were his "students" -- each one learning the essentials of evidence through a TV screen broadcasting his dry humor and deep voice into rooms from New York to California. Nope ... I tried cases in front of him, right there in the Burton J. Kinerk Courtroom, always anxious to hear what he thought and how he'd do it.

 

Tom ignited a passion for trial work in me and so many who learned from him. Nearly 20 years later, I share letterhead with Burt Kinerk('62), and I still seek guidance from Professor Mauet.

 

Tom's trial advocacy books remain my most dog-eared and well-worn references.  Before every trial, I turn to them for refreshers, tips, and inspiration. I am not alone.  My law school classmate,Kevin Boyle ('97), who went on to clerk for Chief Justice Rehnquist, shared my experiences in the Trial Advocacy Program. Kevin is now a nationally recognized trial lawyer in Los Angeles. My law partner,Ted Schmidt ('77), met Tom when he first joined the law school faculty, and together they worked to develop the Arizona College of Trial Advocacy. 

 

This week, Kevin, Ted, and I do our part to advance Tom's focus on developing and improving trial skills training as faculty for the Trial Practice Track of the State Bar of Arizona's CLE by the Sea, at its annual education program in Coronado, California.

 

With apologies to my latest obsession, the musical Hamilton, this three-day seminar puts the audience in the room where it happens -- taking them into the real-time deposition, mediation, and full trial. We will then watch jurors deliberate and return a verdict.

 

One of Arizona Law's newest faculty members, Barbara Bergman, who takes over the Advocacy Program from Tom Mauet, joins us, as well. This morning I had the pleasure of introducing Barbara to the Trial Practice Track attendees at CLE by the Sea. It is exciting to welcome Barbara and usher in the newest chapter in Arizona Law's strong civil justice and trial practice program. 

 

You can read more about Barbara below ... and until the footnotes, I remain your obedient servant ... D. Sethi.

Dev Sethi ('97)