The Bench & Bar magazine is published to provide members of the KBA with information that will increase their knowledge of the law, improve the practice of law, and assist in improving the quality of legal services for the citizenry.
Issue link: https://kentuckybenchandbar.epubxp.com/i/546018
Spotlight speakers Justice James W. Kitchens of the Mississippi Supreme Court, who was appointed to represent the man accused of murdering Medgar Evars, and attorney J. Cheney Mason , who was part of the Casey Anthony defense team in Florida, reminded us that everyone has a right to representation and that we must hold tight to our duty as attorneys and the presumption of innocence, even among public outcry and media frenzy. Talmage Boston reminded us of the intellectual hon- esty, eloquence, and professionalism of Abraham Lincoln, which are things we as attorneys should strive to embody. Profes- sor George J. McGee , presenting as fa- mous Kentucky statesman Henry Clay, re- minded us of the importance of negotiation and compromise in both politics and law. Professor Gregory Gordon , who covered the 2014 Hong Kong protests, which were at heart about the legal definition of "uni- versal suffrage," examined the essential impor- tance of the rule of law. Our last spot- light speaker of the conven- tion was Mark Curriden , who delighted us with stories of seven of the best trial lawyers in America. Our Wednesday feature speaker , Bryan Stevenson , the executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of Just Mercy, inspired and challenged us as lawyers to appreciate what our responsibili- ties are. He summoned us to be advocates who represent the highest ideals of our profession, i.e., creating justice, protecting the poor and vulnerable, and adding to the health of the community by doing the things that reinforce a commitment to the law. Through very personal stories and ob- servations, Stevenson laid out the five things he feels are necessary to being the kind of lawyers we should be. First, our identity plays a critical role in our ability to make a difference. Identity is not your title, but rather, it is the words that go before your title — dedicated, committed lawyers 10 B&B; • 7.15 2 0 1 5 A N N U A L C O N V E N T I O N KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCATION HOSTS SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION IN LEXINGTON, JUNE 17-19 Justice James W. Kitchens J. Cheney Mason Talmage Boston George J. McGee Gregory Gordon Mark Curriden The Kentucky Bar Association's 2015 Annual Convention drew over 1,900 attorneys to the Lexington Conven- tion Center in downtown Lexington, June 17-19, making it another successful convention! While the vast majority of CLE programs offered at the 2015 KBA Annual Convention in Lexington were grounded firmly in the undeniably practical, e.g., property, tax, case updates, health care, ethics, bankruptcy, etc., the spotlight and feature speakers endeavored to inspire. With a Convention theme of "Securing Access in a Diverse Society – Justice for All," visiting the ideals of the legal profession and giving consideration to how we can create justice seemed more than appropriate. By: Mary Beth Cutter, KBA Director for CLE