UK Law’s Moot Court Board hosts Judge Rogers as first speaker in new lecture series
October 31, 2017
Earlier this month, the University of Kentucky College of Law’s Moot Court Board hosted the Honorable John M. Rogers, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, as the first speaker of a new litigation speaker series.
Through the series, the Moot Court Board hopes to provide students with access to prominent attorneys and judges who can speak on litigation related topics at all levels, not only relevant to moot court members, but to all law students. The idea for the speaker series is credited to Cassie Keck, a third-year law student and the 2017-18 Moot Court Board President.
Judge Rogers began the conversation by sharing a little about his background. He told law students, faculty and staff about a decision he was faced with in early adulthood: to study history or law. If he chose history, he’d be a teacher and he didn’t want to do that. “So, I pursued a law degree and became a law professor,” he said. The crowd laughed.
He came to love teaching torts to first-year law students. “I like the challenge of teaching things that seem dry and trying to make them interesting,” Judge Rogers said.
Prior to his service as a federal judge, Judge Rogers was a professor at UK Law for nearly 25 years, where he remains a professor emeritus.
Judge Rogers went on to discuss the importance of writing briefs, what judges like to see in oral arguments, and what they look for when hiring students for clerkships. He also shared his personal career goals. As a judge he strives to be fair, open, and follow the law. Judge Rogers wrapped up the conversation by answering intriguing questions from students in attendance.
“The program highlighted the connection of the judiciary to UK Law and also showed what is applicable to current students on moot court,” said third-year law student Amanda Combs. “I enjoyed seeing many faculty members, such as Professors Connelly, Davis, and Salamanca, as well as Dean Murphy and Dean Steele come and support their former colleague. It showed a sense of the strong community within UK Law and I liked getting to see that as a student.”
On November 7, the Moot Court Board will host Andre Regard, attorney at Regard Law Group, PLLC, as the next speaker in the series.
The Moot Court Board helps run the first-year oral advocacy program and also conducts an extensive upper-class program, which is elective for second-year students. The Moot Court Board and National Moot Court Team are selected through intra-school competition. UK's National Moot Court Team has a long history of success, winning both regional and national titles.