By hosting many of the legal world’s most distinguished jurists and practitioners, the University of Miami School of Law offers students a front-row seat to the art of the oral argument. This was never more apparent than last week, when the school’s Class Action & Complex Litigation Forum offered two “masterclasses” for the next generation of attorneys.
Through two landmark events, Miami Law students didn't just study oral advocacy—they sat across the table from the people who define it.
Students were granted an exclusive audience with Paul Clement, keynote speaker of the Forum and the 43rd Solicitor General of the United States. To call Clement an "experienced" attorney would be an understatement. As Peter Prieto, J.D. '85 and Forum co-chair aptly put it, "Paul is undoubtedly the most respected Supreme Court advocate of his generation...He is a rock star in elite legal circles."
Clement, who has argued over 100 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, led an intimate discussion titled “Oral Advocacy in the Roberts Court (and beyond)” where the packed audience heard about the high-stakes pressure of practice at the highest level.
The session left a lasting mark on those in attendance. Henry Schermerhorn, a 1L, commented on LinkedIn, “This was one of my favorite law school events to date. Mr. Clement was an insightful speaker and gave practical advice tailored to law students and attorneys alike.”
Behind the Bench: The Judicial Clerkship Panel
While Clement provided a perspective from the lectern, a second event offered a candid look from behind the bench. A panel of five distinguished federal and state judges gathered to give insight into the judicial process and the path to coveted judicial clerkships.
Moderated by The Honorable Eduardo Robreno, Miami Law’s Distinguished Jurist in Residence and Ret. Judge U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the panel featured:
- The Honorable Melissa Damian, J.D. ’95, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- The Honorable David S. Leibowitz, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- The Honorable Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- The Honorable R. David Proctor, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
- The Honorable Lisa S. Walsh, J.D. ’92, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida
The judges engaged in an open Q&A with students, offering strategies for law school success and detailing the specific skills they look for when hiring clerks. More than a networking event, students gained first-hand insights into potential career paths, delivered by the very people who preside over the nation's courtrooms.
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