By Margaret A. Manetti,

Codilis & Associates, P.C.

The Appellate Lawyers Association hosted the judges, administrators, and mediators of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit at its annual roundtable discussion and luncheon at the Union League Club of Chicago on May 15, 2018.

The Court’s newest members, Judge Michael Brennan, Judge Michael Scudder, and Judge Amy St. Eve, joined the luncheon. Following tableside discussions with 11 judges from the Court, Deputy Clerk Chris Conway addressed new court rules concerning access to the record and a new timing and lighting system to be used during oral arguments. Next, a panel featuring Judge Michael Kanne, Judge Diane Sykes, and Judge Amy Barrett spoke about appellate practice, with ALA President Evan Siegel moderating the discussion.

The panel of judges described their individual methods on preparing for oral argument and the involvement of their law clerks. Judge Sykes described how she chaired a committee that led the Court to introduce a new policy allowing oral arguments to be video-recorded at the request of counsel or the public. And Judge Kanne, who has served on the Court for 31 years, noted that one of the most important issues facing the Court and appellate community is protecting pro se litigants’ rights and obtaining counsel to represent them.

The ALA congratulates Judge Brennan, Judge Scudder, and Judge St. Eve and expresses its appreciation to the entire Court and staff for their participation in the luncheon.