University of Dayton's Seminar on Intellectual Property Law

On Friday, June 10, the University of Dayton School of Law will hold a Seminar on Significant Developments in the Intellectual Property Law of Computers and Cyberspace. Registration begins at 8 a.m. in Keller Hall; the program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Now in its 21st year, the seminar is organized by the School of Law's Program in Law and Technology. 

The seminar will examine such topics as whether posting at work on social media sites, like Facebook and You Tube, is a reason for dismissal; a new European Union directive requiring websites to obtain visitors' consent for cookies; venue selection in patent cases; trademark counterfeiting; and the right of publicity, the First Amendment and the digital world. 

A full schedule is available at: http://www.udayton.edu/law/events/cyberspace.php 

Registration Information 

Six hours of CLE credit will be offered for Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. The School will help participants obtain CLE credit for other states upon request. 

The registration fee is $395. Scholarships for $200 are available for full-time judges, government employees and professors, and for $15 for full-time students. 
Register Online Now >> 

For more information, contact Nan Holler-Potter at 937-229-4676 or hollernl@notes.udayton.edu.

Mormon Political Power Restrained?

According to a recent article by Nathan B. Oman, an associate professor of law at William and Mary University in Virginia, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not looking to flex its political muscle. With Mitt Romney the Republican Party's front runner for the 2012 Presidential nomination it will be interesting to see how the Church can manuever to stay out of the political arena.

Joseph Smith Legal Question

I had a mormonlawyers.com reader pose a question to me that I don't know, so I'll ask you if you have the answer. We all know that Joseph Smith Jr. was involved in many legal battles, however, was he ever the plaintiff in a case?

LDS Legal Briefs: Religious Freedom, Elizabeth Smart, Joseph Smith Papers

• The Case of Religious Freedom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints newsroom.

• Elizabeth Smart captor Brian David Mitchell gets sentenced to life in prison. L.A. Times

• Joseph Smith papers website debuts, is free to use and includes legal documents. Mormon Times.

The Annual Rex Lee Advocacy Award and Shawn Bentley Public Service Awards

WASHINGTON, DC. – This year the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society held its 11^th Annual Rex Lee Advocacy and Shawn Bentley Public Service Awards luncheon on Monday, May 9^th at the Washington Court Hotel near Capitol Hill.

The Rex Lee Advocacy award spotlights those who exhibit the highest ethical standards and excellence in advocacy. The lunch also remembers Shawn Bentley and his contribution to public service by awarding two scholarships to law students who are working in the public arena in Washington, D.C. this summer.

Before introducing his colleague and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senator Mike Lee said the lunch is a“terrific event that encourages us to be mentors and public servants while honoring the memories and examples of Rex Lee and Shawn Bentley, both of whom were great members of our [legal] profession.”

Senator Reid followed by congratulating the room of legal professionals for their notable accomplishments.  A former trial lawyer himself, Reid extolled the virtues of attorneys who “speak for those without a voice,” often changing public policy and legal precedent in the process.  He encouraged those present to be proud of their profession, but to“make sure people are treated fairly” and to ensure the courthouse remains open to everyone.  Senator Reid then helped Judge Griffith present the Shawn Bentley Public Service Awards to law students Ryan Merriman and Hunter Anderson.

DC Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Griffith shared his memories of Shawn Bentley, whose notable public service was tragically cut short. Judge Griffith noted that at the end of the workday on the Hill, he and Shawn talked about the“really important things—faith, life and family.” 

Dean James Rasband of the J. Reuben Clark Law School presented the Rex Lee Advocacy Award to Deputy Assistant Attorney General Beth Brinkmann for her lifetime of excellence in oral advocacy. In describing her qualifications, he mentioned an interview Beth gave where she talked about preparing for a Supreme Court oral argument.  She talked about completely immersing herself in the facts of the case and working late into the night to prepare.  Dean Rasband noted that excellence comes not only from brilliant minds, but also long hours and hard work.  Ginny Isaacson, President of the Law Society’s DC Chapter added, “This is a great lesson for law students and attorneys that a lot of hard work precedes excellence.  Rex Lee and Shawn Bentley were great examples of that and this lunch seeks to encourage and honor those attributes.”

The mission of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society is to strive through public service and professional excellence to promote fairness and virtue founded upon the rule of law. The Society also seeks to affirm the strength brought by a lawyer’s personal religious conviction. More information and pictures of the event can be found at the Chapter’s website: www.jrclsdc.org or by emailing events@jrclsdc.org. By Michael Isom

Rex Lee Advocacy Award

Senator Mike Lee

(from L to R) Judge Thomas Griffith, Senator Harry Reid, Ryan Merriman, Hunter Anderson