Designed to instruct lawyers on effective trial skills and winning preparation strategies, the boot camp was held in Memphis, Tennessee, during the NBA’s 97th Annual Convention, and has become a summer tradition for the two associations.
Professor H.T. Smith, past president of the NBA, was a featured panelist at the event, discussing the state of diversity and prejudice in our courts. His segment, “The Role of Race and Bias in the American Judicial System: Why Diverse Lawyers, Judges, and Juries Matter,” examined implicit bias in the legal profession and how to combat it. Moderated by John E. Sweeney, co-chair of ABOTA’s Diversity of Membership Committee, the panel also featured fellow NBA past president Michael S. Rosier.
“I am privileged to be among these legal warriors,” Professor Smith said. “Trained to lead and called to serve, it is they who work to overcome the injustice of our past and guarantee America’s promise of a better, fairer tomorrow.”
A trailblazing civil rights pioneer and trial lawyer, Professor Smith is founding director of the FIU Law Trial Advocacy Program. He teaches Trial Advocacy and Advanced Trial Advocacy.
Contact Professor Smith at 305-348-8095 and htsmith@fiu.edu.