Not only was Tulane Law School very fortunate to host US Attorney General Eric Holder last Friday, but we also welcomed a panel of distinguished practitioners to speak to students about careers in Criminal Law. This panel was organized as part of the ABA Mid-Year Meeting which was held in downtown New Orleans this past week. The panelists included Judge Lance Africk of the US District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, Jim Letten (TLS class of ’79), US Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, and representatives from the New York City Department of Probation, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, and the Federal Public Defender’s Office of the Eastern District of Louisiana. Each of the panelists described what new attorneys in their respective offices are assigned to handle upon commencing their practice. It was very clear that practicing in criminal law allows new attorneys to have a great deal of responsibility very early in the career. In each of the offices, newly-hired lawyers are able to immediately practice in the courtroom, taking the lead on case management and trial. Judge Africk advised the room (which was predominately filled with students interested in careers in criminal law) to be prepared, work hard, get involved with the ABA and other activities, and to treat fellow attorneys with respect and courtesy. After the panel, the students had the opportunity to network with the panelists, and a few students were even able to schedule interviews with the representative offices. We are always very thankful for the wonderful opportunities presented to Tulane Law students in conjunction with great events like the ABA Mid-Year Meeting.
- this article was written by CDO Government Counselor Amanda Moeller