July 2012

July 26, 2012 - Spotlight on Hon. Loretta A. Preska

Recipient of the Barbara C. Jordan Award

The Barbara C. Jordan Award is given to honor those whose lifetime commitment has contributed to the “‘rule of law’… in keeping with the spirit of our departed sister, U.S. Congresswoman Barbara C. Jordan.” It was Barbara C. Jordan who said “my faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete.” The Barbara C. Jordan Award will be presented to the Honorable Loretta A. Preska (Wormser Chapter) at Convention.

Judge Preska earned her J.D. from Fordham University and her L.L.M. from New York University Law School by 1978. In 1992 she was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Since her appointment, Judge Preska has become Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Some of her most notable cases include Bloomberg L.P. v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the hearing of the first Guantanamo detainee brought to the U.S. for trial in civilian court. In Bloomberg L.P. v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Judge Preska ruled that the Federal Reserve Board was required under the Freedom of Information Act to release information regarding borrower banks.

Judge Preska’s judicial experience was preceded by almost twenty years of private practice as a civil litigator. Her career has expressed obvious passion for the law like her sister, Barbara C. Jordan, before her exemplified.

We look forward to presenting the Barbara Jordan Award to Judge Preska during Convention and are honored by her attendance alongside the brothers and sisters of P.A.D. At Convention we will celebrate the “rule of law” by recognizing the efforts of such members as Loretta A. Preska and Barbara C. Jordan.

July 17, 2012 - Spotlight on Jason Eyberg (Twin City Alumni/Butler Chapters)

Presenter of the Parliamentary Procedure Workshop at Convention

Jason Eyberg (Twin City Alumni Chapter, Butler Chapter) will be presenting the Parliamentary Procedure Workshop at Convention. Eyberg has been an active P.A.D. member since 2009 and has since served as vice-Justice and Justice. He was nationally recognized with the Outstanding Vice-Justice Award for his contributions in 2010.

Eyberg is currently a personal injury litigator at Sieben, Grose, Von Holtum & Carey, LTD where he practices in such areas as wrongful death and dram shop liability. His experience as a personal injury litigator began as a law clerk and attorney at Soucie Law, a personal injury law firm.

While attending William Mitchell College of Law, he clerked at Harper & Peterson “where he discovered his passion for helping people who have been injured to navigate a complex legal system.” He also was a staff member for Volume 36 of the William Mitchell Law Review and an assistant editor for Volume 37.

Yet Eyberg’s exceptional resume does not begin in law school. Prior to, Eyberg had been a Coast Guard Operation Specialist (OS) specializing in intelligence, communications, and law enforcement. As a serviceman, he was promoted to Petty Officer First Class within three years and received two Coast Guard Achievement Medals.

We are honored to have such a valued and experienced member as a Convention presenter. With his experience as an active P.A.D. member and personal injury litigator, he is sure to contribute to his brothers’ and sisters’ experience at Convention. His contributions to his fellow P.A.D.’s do not go unnoticed.

July 10, 2012 - Spotlight on Kimberly Motley, Tom C. Clark Equal Justice Under Law Winner

The Tom C. Clark Equal Justice Under Law Award will be presented to Kimberly Motley for her “contributions to society in advocating, promoting and/or exemplifying the principle of ‘equal justice under law.’”

Motley has been practicing in Afghanistan since 2008 and was the first foreign attorney to practice in the Afghanistan Criminal Courts. She cofounded the Motley Legal Services (MLS) law firm based in the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Afghanistan, alongside her husband, Claude. MLS has allowed Motley to “represent her clients and promote a high standard or competent legal representation,” especially in Afghanistan.

MLS efforts, which include research publications, are purposed to “support capacity development of Afghan lawyers” and “promote transparent rule of law in Afghanistan and abroad.” Motley’s ability to navigate Afghanistan’s court systems, local laws, and Sharia Law has ensured MLS’s success.

Her work includes many pro bono cases that address social issues and demand the protection of her clients’ rights. In 2009 an Afghan woman named Gulnaz was jailed after being raped, impregnated, and accused of adultery. It was Motley who litigated Gulnaz’s case pro bono and oversaw Gulnaz’s eventual presidential pardon by Hamid Karzai. Her representation of clients such as Gulnaz and the Afghan Women Boxing Team (AWBT) are in part due to her passion for women’s rights; and to her, the “AWBT is an epitome for an uphill battle for women rights in Afghanistan.”

Nicknamed “Superwoman” for her work and achievements by many in Afghanistan, Motley attests her success to the loving support of her husband and children: Diva, Seoul, and Cherish. With their continued support, she plans “to take MLS in many other countries where rule of law needs to be strengthened and her clients need to be protected.”

Motley will be awarded the Tom C. Clark Award at Convention on August 4^th. Phi Alpha Delta is proud to nominate a woman of such caliber.

July 3, 2012 - Spotlight on Associate Dean Penny Willrich

Recipient of the 2012 John J. McAulay Legal Educator Award

The John J. McAulay Legal Educator Award is presented to a P.A.D. member for their contribution to legal education based upon a lifetime of dedication to the principles and ideals of integrity, compassion, courage and professional service. We are proud to announce this year’s recipient as Dean Penny Willrich, faculty advisor to Goldwater Chapter.

As Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Phoenix School of Law, Dean Willrich’s impressive background has made her an ideal source of inspiration to P.A.D. members. Throughout her professional career, Dean Willrich has made quite an impact in Arizona’s residents and legal system by focusing her efforts on pro-bono work, services to help the poor, serving on many boards, initiating projects and legislation and by serving as the first African American woman trial court judge in the history of AZ, among many other achievements.

Her drive to help those in need is apparent in her experiences and impressions made on the AZ community. She was instrumental in securing legislation that placed computers at every desk for the Arizona Child Protective Services, legislation that protects the addresses of domestic violence shelters and the re-writing of the Domestic Violence Victims Handbook. She also provides pro bono services and advice to the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Shelter in Phoenix and Save the Family in Mesa. She also established a program for students to volunteer time to these causes.

She has been recognized by The Links, Inc. for her impact, received the NAACP Roy Wilkins Awards in 2008 and for her published works in the State of Black Arizona Volume II.

She has served as Commissioner of the Supreme Court and retired in 2005 but continues to serve as Judge Pro Tem. She is also currently pursuing her Doctorate of Philosophy-Public Service Leadership- Criminology.

With the passion to provide justice and fairness in the application of the law, Dean Willrich is certainly a deserved recipient of this year’s John J. McAulay Legal Educator Award. She will be awarded with a plaque and medal Friday, August 3^rd during the 59th Biennial Convention. Join us in congratulating her on receiving this honor. We are truly proud to call Dean Penny Willrich a member of P.A.D.