Youth - Idealism - Harvard Yard
How to think about the “lecture” yesterday? First of all, its difficult to reach people with whom you share no perspective. The kids were clueless about litigation. That should have been no surprise, but it was - kinda. When I did a radio interview a few weeks ago, my friend who was hosting the show reminded me afterward that the audience is not well informed and to keep things basic. I failed to heed that advice and planned way too much depth for the Harvard class. Their questions were really basic - “how many peremptory challenges do you get?” I was prepared to talk about the strategic use of peremptory challenges in a struck jury system. In the end I think they concluded that what I do is uncomfortably close to the images I showed from Runaway Jury. It might be Harvard, but they are still just kids.
This was on the heels of my presentation to the partners of “The Firm” on the diversity program. It was very high level and they got it. In the end it a good lesson in really understanding the audience and not assuming too much. My favorite question of the night was, “does it bother you ethically to use race in jury selection?”. My answer is the same as Mr. Spock after being rejoined with his katra when asked, “how do you feel?”.
I'll be home before yoiu know it. Just a little more disillusioned than usual.
JJ
This was on the heels of my presentation to the partners of “The Firm” on the diversity program. It was very high level and they got it. In the end it a good lesson in really understanding the audience and not assuming too much. My favorite question of the night was, “does it bother you ethically to use race in jury selection?”. My answer is the same as Mr. Spock after being rejoined with his katra when asked, “how do you feel?”.
I'll be home before yoiu know it. Just a little more disillusioned than usual.
JJ