UPCOMING EVENTS


 
Greetings,
 
Graduation is right around the corner and this week we are pleased to announce the 2019 College of Law graduation keynote speaker, distinguished federal judge and Arizona Law alumnus Raner C. Collins ('75). 

Each day we are inspired by our incredibly accomplished and devoted alumni from across every class year -- and it's always great to hear from them. In this edition, as a nod to alums who lead the way, we catch up with Seattle-based 1972 alumnus Jimmy Rogers, who has over forty years of private practice under his belt. 

Until the footnotes,
 
Marc

Class of 1972 Alumnus James S. Rogers

James S. ("Jimmy") Rogers, of the Class of 1972, has maintained a strong connection to the University of Arizona and College of Law while running a successful practice in his hometown of Seattle. 

In 2016, we had the opportunity to hear from Jimmy as part of the college's Civil Justice Initiative lecture series. He spoke with students about the ins-and-outs of developing his personal injury and product liability practice.
 
This week, in anticipation of this year's graduating class of young lawyers, we wanted to find out more about Jimmy's experience as a student and young lawyer.
 
Jimmy first knew he wanted to be a trial lawyer in seventh grade when he read "My Life in Court" by the legendary trial lawyer Louis Nizer (you can access the PDF here). 

He relocated from the Pacific Northwest to the University of Arizona where, along with attaining his law degree, he developed many wonderful friendships and a love of the Sonoran Desert. He's kept up a lifelong friendship with Robert Hershey (also '72), who later became a College of Law professor (now emeritus).
 
Jimmy recalls the thrill when, during his first year, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas visited the law school and his former law clerk, Dean Charles Ares ('52), introduced the Justice as a speaker.

"I don't know who was more proud; Dean Ares of Justice Douglas, or Justice Douglas of Dean Ares."
 
As for the desert: 

"My second year of law school I lived out in the desert on Ironwood Hill Drive, on the way to Gates Pass. Sometimes on a quiet night in my Seattle houseboat, I still long to hear the howl of the coyotes."
 
In law school, Jimmy interned for the Pima County Public Defender, and thought he would be a criminal defense lawyer. But his first job after law school was as an associate of one of Seattle's leading personal injury plaintiff trial lawyers, Lem Howell. 

"I began handling plaintiffs' personal injury cases and never stopped."
 
He established his own law offices in 1986, which are now the Law Offices of James S. Rogers.
 
Jimmy's advice to current UA law students wanting to become top trial lawyers is to cultivate three important qualities: passion, dedication, and a commitment to helping people achieve justice.

Jimmy is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He was named the 1998 "Trial Lawyer of the Year" by the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association and the 2010 "Outstanding Plaintiff's Trial Lawyer of the Year" by the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers.
 
Just last year, Jimmy was named Best Lawyers' "Seattle Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation Lawyer of the Year." And, he recently became a member of the Damage Attorneys Roundtable (DART), a small, highly select group of Washington State plaintiff trial lawyers.
 
Around the College
2019 Graduation Keynote Speaker Judge Raner Collins ('75)

Raner C. Collins ('75), senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, will deliver the keynote address at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law 2019 convocation ceremony, Saturday, May 11, 2019. (Link to the original announcement here.)
 
Collins was nominated in May of 1998 by President Bill Clinton to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Arizona vacated by William Docker Browning (a 1960 alumnus).

Judge Collins was confirmed by the Senate in July of 1998 and received commission August of 1998. In September 2013 he became Chief Judge, the first African American to serve in that position. Collins assumed senior status in March of 2019.
 
Prior to his nomination, Collins served as a Judge in the Superior Court of Arizona and as a county attorney for Pima County. His professional career also includes serving as a magistrate for the Tucson City Court and as a law clerk and trial attorney for the Pima County Arizona Attorney's Office.
 
Collins was born in Malvern, Arkansas and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arkansas Polytechnic College (now Arkansas Tech University) in 1973 before receiving his Juris Doctor from University of Arizona Law.



Make Plans to Attend the Steve Hirsch Gutter Bowl


For 12 years, the University of Arizona College of Law has gathered our alumni, students, and friends for our ever-popular Gutter Bowl. 

The Steve Hirsch Gutter Bowl honors our alumnus and his commitment to alumni and friends coming together to have a good time for a great cause. All proceeds will go to the Steven A. Hirsch Scholarship Fund.
 
When: Tuesday, June 4, 2019, 6-9 p.m.

Where: Bowlmor Lanes Scottsdale, 7300 E Thomas Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

 
Individual bowlers: $60
Teams of 6: $500
Attendee (Not bowling): $30
 
If you have questions or need help signing up your team, contact Corrina Eklund at corrinaeklund@email.arizona.edu or 520-621-8430. Also contact Corrina to become a sponsor.
 

Pride Law Invites Tucson Attorneys for Networking Happy Hour

Pride Law, an Arizona Law student group, in partnership with the Arizona LGBT Bar Association is hosting a happy hour for students and attorneys to network and building professional connections. Alumni and friends of the College of Law are invited to attend.
 
When: Friday, April 19, 2019, 5-7 p.m.
 
Where: The Playground, 278 E. Congress St., Tucson
 

In the News

AP News, quoting professor Bethany Sullivan

Cleveland.com, quoting professor Barak Orbach


We're grateful to have committed alumni like Judge Raner Collins and Jimmy Rogers. They are both models and often serve as mentors for our newest grads who will head out of our college's doors weeks from now...

Warmly,

Marc

 

 

 
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