Proud to be a Lawyer in Onondaga County. By Mark David Blum

How do you get nearly 200 lawyers and judges into a room together without plying them with free food, drink, or porn?

Instead of a joke, I know now the answer is to just ask them to volunteer to help the community.

Yesterday, through the good offices of Hon. James Tormey, Supervising Judge of the 5th Judicial District and through the hard work of many lawyers in the community, a gathering was held yesterday at the Genesee Grand Hotel (aka the Genesee Inn) where almost 200 lawyers and judges appeared and offered their services to the community.

OK, so it was not quite so benevolent. Judge Tormey traded us lowly attorneys a handful of Continuing Legal Education credits for having to sit and listen to a panel of local Judges tell us how the world looks through their eyes. I thank each of them because just having the chance to gain a glimpse into their world will go far in furthering my abilities with my clients. It was slightly amusing to have to be told by Judges to shine our shoes, to use ‘Your Honor” instead of “Judge”, to stand, to button jackets, and how to generally behave. Also, attention was paid in telling us how far we can and cannot go in our criticism of judges and each other. Most of it was just good old fashioned common sense and basic human behavior. Maybe next time, we can reverse roles and lawyers can raise specific criticisms they have with how procedures and processes work and don’t down at the court house.

(If they asked me, my biggest gripe is the failure to hold parties to deadlines. Much hay is made about lawyers who must adhere to procedure and timeliness, but when papers are late or rules are ignored, it has been my experience at least locally, that judges do not enforce these rules. I do not mind following the rules in my practice and feel that if the rules were applied and enforced, then there would be less conflict because everybody would know what is expected and by when. But hey, who am I and why would they listen to me).

Beyond me, however, there is now an army of lawyers and pledged pro bono hours under the control of Esther Weingarten, Esq. (SU ’91). Be warned all ye who would take advantage of the poor and underprivileged; the scales are no longer so imbalanced. Judge Tormey and the rest of the Onondaga County Bench are to be thanked and commended for their gift to the community. I pray it serves as a model for the rest of the nation. “Follow me”.

Also, for anybody who has not yet set foot into the newly renovated Genesee Grand Hotel and thinks it in any way resembles the former Genesee Inn is going to be pleasantly surprised. Kudos for the quality of presentation and facilities are due to the Genesee.

Being generally outside the “loop”, sometimes there are goings-on behind the scenes that jump out and seem not as benign as they probably are. Judge Centra who was not present yesterday, was the favorite punching bag of every presenter. I personally adore John Centra and hold him in the highest regard and was not sure whether the punches he took in absentia were in fun or whether something was going on. A great deal of attention was paid to his cooking, his primping for television cameras, and his shopping. John, whatever you are doing, keep doing it.

The question of the day went to my dear friend and role model Ed Menkin. Asking the question that should have raised years ago, he inquired of Judge Tormey whether the State Court system was going to follow the federal model and switch to an electronic filing system. While I expected many answers and justifications for either yea or nay, what I heard next stunned me.

Judge Tormey confirmed that plans are afoot now to develop an electronic filing system. That is a good thing and will make work and practice so much easier.

What he said next however, caught my attention: Judge Tormey reported that he had in fact been to several meetings around the State on the subject of pandemic and bird flu. The decision has been made to implement an electronic filing system because, and I swear he said in words to effect that they are going to put such a system in place because in case of a pandemic, the Judges will not want to come into contact with papers or people.

I would think an electronic filing system is a wonderful welcome to the practice of law in the 21st century. It is not only ecologically honorable, but an electronic filing system is efficient and very easy to work with. There are many justifications for and against using such a system. “Pandemic” was not one reason I had ever considered. I would only opine and suggest that like the police and military, some of us by virtue of our chosen careers, have volunteered to stand that wall and be up front. I think judges building a system that further isolates and insulates them from lawyers and litigants is dangerous and counter productive to the service we have sworn to provide to the public.

All in all, this new program for gathering up pro bono hours in bulk is a grand idea. Anything I can do to further its goals and aims, I remain humbly at their service. The local Bar needs more opportunities for the free exchange of ideas. Seeing all those judges, both state and federal … even Judge Merrill marching in 15 minutes after the lectures ended … and talking frankly with lawyers … is an idea whose time has come and should set a precedent for the future.

Congratulations Judge Tormey. You have a winner!