Camilla Wells Coaching’s Post

Today is January 22. On Friday, January 22, 2016, with Bill Newman (as co-counsel for #amicuscuriae ACLU of Massachusetts), Ryan Schiff, and Paul Rudof (co-counsels of record), we won Charbonneau v. Presiding Justice, 473 Mass. 515 (2016). The case ended an illegal plea-bargaining practice that prejudiced defendants throughout the #DistrictCourts of #WesternMA. https://lnkd.in/ed9aC6h Every year I proudly celebrate January 22 as "Charbonneau Day." Why? It was the first sign that life would go on after my mother's death on Monday, January 11. The win opened and still opens so many doors for me-but most especially to Bill's friendship and Ryan's mentorship with me that helped me rise above my early difficult years practicing. Thank you again Matthew Segal for trusting me at my young age to work with Bill on this case. A salute to the late Sarah Wunsch who was also an important contributor to my and Bill's work. Salutes also to Peter Slepchuk, Amanda Crawford Stutman, and Ryan McRae, all friends who all had important supporting roles in the case in the lower courts. Thank you also Ivonne Vidal, who originally alerted me to the magnitude of this issue-and helped me realize how blatantly illegal it was. And a wave and a hat tip to John Bosse, Kevin M. Casini and Julia Baldini who celebrated the win with me that same day. We need beacons of hope in this profession we call the #practiceoflaw. I hope this one still shines. It does for me, anyway. #thisiswhyitsgreattobealawyer #MassSJC #CriminalPractice #CriminalProcedure #CriminalPracticeandProcedure #LawyerWellness #WesternMass #PleaBargaining #RuleofLaw #GuiltyPleas #ThankYou #Celebrate #LawyerWellbeing

📮 Justice Lost in the Post - But Now Delivered! 📮 In a world where justice seems to get misplaced like a letter lost in the mail, we at MML are proud to announce a momentous victory. Our criminal team's relentless pursuit of truth has led to a landmark appeal against an unjust conviction. The Crown, recognising the strength of our case, did not oppose our appeal, allowing us to finally clear our client's name. This win isn't just about correcting a wrongful conviction; it's about restoring faith in a system that should protect and serve justice without fail. Our client, after a long and arduous journey, can now breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to the compensation they rightly deserve. At MML, we're more than just lawyers; we're guardians of justice, ensuring that no case is too small and no challenge too big in our quest to right wrongs. This victory is a testament to our team's dedication and the unwavering spirit of those who seek justice. To our client, who showed immense strength and patience, your resilience has been inspiring. Now, it's time to turn the page and start a new chapter of your life, one where your name stands clear and your future is bright. Stay tuned as we continue to fight the good fight, ensuring that justice is not just delivered, but served with the dignity it deserves. 💌✨ #JusticeServed #MMLLaw #LegalVictory #NewBeginnings #alwaysonyourside

Citation Name : 2023 SCMR 413 SUPREME-COURT Side Appellant : ARIF FAREED Side Opponent : BIBI SARA S. 5 & Sched.---Family suits involving children---Technicalities and trappings of normal practice and procedure not suitable for such suits---Family litigation directly or indirectly causes long term effects on the emotional health of parties especially the children who become a silent victim of differences and disputes between contesting adults---Dilemma starts with our social and institutional conception of the child and childhood---Therefore, when a child comes to interact with the judicial system, the response must be facilitative, cooperative and backed by child-right driven approach---Technicalities and trappings of normal practice and procedure are not suitable to the cases where very young children are the party.

How do you cross examine an expert ? Thank you to David Eccles for his brilliant masterclass; part of Deans Court Chambers ongoing commitment to internal training. Our Masterclass series has seen a range of High Court judges, silks and senior practitioners deliver insightful talks. An unparalleled way for juniors to learn from the very best! #personalinjury #catastrophicinjury #theGOAT!

Did you know client preparation for depositions, mediations, and trial could be your most valuable skill set? Use code "destress" at checkout to save $20 on the registration for this webinar. Join us today at 4PM for a webinar that will give you the tools to relieve client anxiety during major litigation events. https://bit.ly/46xINE5 This program is CPCS approved 2.0 credits per session for the Adult Criminal Trial Appeals, Mental Health Appeals, SORB/SDP, MHLD, YAD, CAFL, YAD Appeals, and Adult Criminal Trial panels. The “triggers” for stress within clients. The importance, in deposition preparation, of seeing the case through the lens of opposing counsel. The benefits of video tutorials and mock depositions. How to “draw away the curtain” and make the client a working partner in the mediation process The importance of fully educating the client as to the chronology of a trial and the “ambience” of the courtroom. Primers on preparing the client for direct and cross examination. #depositions #mediation #trials #clients

I toally agree with Tamara P. Nash when she writes: "I encourage all attorneys, especially young and new lawyers, to pursue their admission to the US Supreme Court Bar. While your practice may never bring you to the well of the Court, all attorneys should have the opportunity to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime moment." Read below to see how you can join the ABA Senior Lawyers Division next year and get admitted to the SCOTUS! https://lnkd.in/eaQdWFwP

Florida Policy Project applauds the comprehensive American Bar Association report criticizing fines and fees system in Florida’s courts. The fines and fees Florida places on those facing low-level charges creates a negative cycle and a no-win scenario for indigent defendants. Florida Policy Project is fundamentally interested in this issue and applauds the American Bar Association for shining a light on policy that needs significant reform. The recommendations made align with our mission to identify best practices to create better outcomes in a system that is fundamentally broken. https://lnkd.in/e9hAg_Kz

🧡🤍💙 Trial Themes. For every trial you want to have a theme that fits into your case. How do you find it? What is the unfairness? How can the jury help with that? How can the verdict not only help your client but society at large? Lets say you’re trying the car wreck case. The theme can be the importance of holding people accountable for their actions as opposed to coming up with excuses. Whatever it is: its a good idea to get the jurors take on it. This will arm you to deliver pieces of evidence to those jurors and arm them in closing arguments to return a verdict in your clients favor. What are some themes you all have used? Share with me in the comments below. 👇🧡🤍💙 . . . . #theme #trials #lawyers #personalinjurylawyers #lawstudents #reels #california #texas #education #knowledge #sandiego

Let's be honest, that jury duty summons can trigger groans, right? But here's a secret: many Pennsylvanians who serve come away surprised by the positive impact (and yes, even the pay!). Beyond the initial "ugh": ⚖️Meaningful contribution: Jurors hold the scales of justice in their hands, deciding the fate of real cases and impacting real lives. It's not just a civic duty, it's a chance to make a difference. ⚖️Eye-opening experience: Witnessing the inner workings of our legal system firsthand can be fascinating and educational. ⚖️Unexpected connection: Juror deliberation fosters surprising camaraderie and thoughtful discussions you won't soon forget. And hey, let's talk compensation, why it is not the best, it’s something: $9/day for the first 3 days, $25/day thereafter + mileage reimbursement. Not a fortune, but a fair recognition for your time. So, if you receive that jury duty summons, remember: ✔️It's an honor to serve. ✔️Your voice matters. ✔️And who knows, you might even enjoy the experience! #cordiscosaile #buckscountylawyer #palawyer #njlawyer #PAjuryduty #justiceheroes #jurydutymyths #thankyoujurors

Pattern jury instructions are a great place to start--not finish. 📝 In Echols v. Johnson, the Seventh Circuit determined the district court erred by issuing the pattern jury instruction for a failure-to-protect claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause. The instruction failed to account for the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Kingsley v. Hendrickson, 576 U.S. 389, and the Seventh Circuit’s 2022 decisions in Kemp v. Fulton Cty. and Thomas v. Dart, providing that civil detainees (like those in Echols) asserting a failure-to-protect claim must demonstrate that the defendant acted in an objectively unreasonable way—not that the defendant subjectively knew of the risk of harm. The #juryinstructions are a sometimes-overlooked aspect of #advocacy in trial preparation. 🏛 Even if the instructions are completely up to date, your case may require or benefit from a special instruction or a modification to the standard instructions. After all, most jurors are not attorneys and the instructions—and your closing argument based on them—are all the law they’re going to get. And if there’s a flaw in the pattern instruction, your case may alert the committee to fix it. 🛠 #civilrights #trialprep