Law Students Enjoy Engaging Lunch Discussions with Judges

University of La Verne College of Law students and faculty enjoyed the opportunity to meet and speak with current members of the bench on October 25 during the San Bernardino County Judges annual meeting held on the Ontario campus.

The atmosphere was casual and fun as attendees engaged in lively conversations that ranged from the impact of decriminalizing marijuana to amusing anecdotes on the judges’ days in law school.

Krystal Lyons, La Verne Law’s Director of External Relations, served as the College of Law’s liaison for the event. She said the objective of the lunch was to allow current students to see firsthand what judges are really like.

“We don’t want the students to have unrealistic expectations when they graduate.” Lyons said. “We also want to strengthen our school’s relationship with the courts.”

Presiding Judge for San Bernardino County Marsha Slough made her way around the room, happily chatting with numerous students and faculty. She said she was glad to hold the meeting at La Verne Law for the second straight year.

“I made contact with (College of Law) Dean Gil Holmes and he’s been a great partner, allowing us the opportunity to hold the event on this campus.” Slough said.

Her intent for the lunch meeting was for students to see judges as real people and not be intimidated to seek the position. “One thing that I think personally keeps people from aspiring to be a judge is they think they have to know everything about every area of law,” Slough said. “The reality is that we have to know a lot, but being a judge is like being in law school without the pressure of examinations, and it is the best seat in the house in watching American justice play out.”

During the lunch there was a brief question and answer session, with an assembled panel answering questions submitted by students. Leading the panel was Judge Lisa Rogan, a 2001 La Verne Law graduate and former adjunct faculty member. Other panelists included three La Verne Law grads – Judge Brian McCarville ’79, Commissioner Michael Gassner ’81, and Judge Theresa Bennett ’88 – and Judge Victor Stull, an adjunct faculty member at the College of Law.

The panel spoke of the necessity for attorneys to be ethical in the courtroom, to treat the bench with respect, and to be deliberate, slow and thorough in their argumentation.

According to the dean, hosting the judges’ event for a second year allowed the law school to simultaneously achieve several of its core values.

“This is a great example of how La Verne Law is a beacon of hope and inspiration as we partner with the San Bernardino judiciary and provide space for their continued education and development,” Holmes said. “At the same time, it provides a transformative learning experience for our students who want to know more about judges, the judiciary, and the judicial process. I am grateful to Judge Slough and the judges for our partnership and to the students who took advantage of this opportunity.”

First-year law student Jacob Guerard said he was happy to see what judges are actually like.

“They’re normal people,” Guerard said. “They’re fun to talk to. I was really surprised at how open and inviting all of the judges were and how receptive they were to students. They were willing to discuss school, their experiences on the bench and also gave their support. I look forward to working with them – or for them – in the future.”