Santa Clara University

SANTA CLARA, Calif.,  Nov. 3, 2011 - A half-day conference Nov. 18 will explore how social and other media affect modern trial practice, including issues like cameras in the courtroom, “gotcha” Facebook photos popping up in divorce cases, jurors Tweeting during trial, and bloggers demanding media credentials. 

 The conference will take place from 7:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 18, at Santa Clara University’s Bannan Hall, Room 139, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, California 95053. It is being presented by the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Courts and Media;  the law firm Cooper, White & Cooper, and Santa Clara University School of Law.

Fees for members of the legal community who wish to attend the conference are $30, or $99 with 3 CLE credits. Attorneys can RSVP and register with Ben Holden, bholden@unr.edu, or by calling 775-784-6531.

About a dozen judges, law professors, legal practitioners and journalists will join panels to discuss topics including:

*The Intersection of Social Media and Litigation, with labor attorney Steven M. Cerny

*Newsroom Searches and At-Home (Nontraditional)  Journalists, with San Joaquin College of Law professor Jeffrey G. Purvis and Special Deputy Attorney General Benjamin Thomas Greer

*Recent Developments in e-Practice and Beyond, with Santa Clara University criminal law professor Gerald F. Uelmen; California 6th District Court of Appeal Presiding Judge Conrad L. Rushing; Reno, Nev., Second Judicial District Court Judge Janet Berry; and Davis Wright Tremaine partner Thomas R. Burke.

*How to Get What You Want, with Associated Press national legal correspondent Linda Deutsch; Santa Clara University communication and law professor Dr. SunWolf; Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton partner James Chadwick; and Judge Janet Berry.

The topics are featured in the current Reynolds Courts & Media Law Journal on “Media in Modern Trial Practice,”  published by University of Nevada, Reno,  Reynolds National Center for Courts and Media.

Members of the media are welcome to attend but are asked to RSVP in advance to Deborah Lohse of SCU Media Relations, dlohse@scu.edu, 408-554-5121.

About the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Courts and Media
The Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Courts and Media, a program of the Reynolds School of Journalism that also is affiliated with the National Judicial College, promotes research and scholarship on the interaction between free speech rights under the First Amendment and and the fair trial rights of the Sixth Amendment. Most of the funding for the center comes from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation of Las Vegas, a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, it is one of the largest private foundations in the United States and has made grants totaling more than $100 million through its National Journalism Initiative.

About Santa Clara University School of Law
During this academic year, Santa Clara University School of Law is celebrating its first 100 years of educating lawyers who lead. Founded in 1911 on the site of California’s oldest operating higher-education institution, Santa Clara Law is dedicated to educating lawyers who lead, with a commitment to excellence, ethics, and social justice. One of the nation’s most diverse law schools, Santa Clara Law offers its 975 students an academically rigorous program, including graduate degrees in international law and intellectual property law; a combined J.D./MBA degree; a combined J.D./MSIS degree; and certificates in high technology law, international law, and public interest and social justice law. Santa Clara Law is located in the world-class business center of Silicon Valley, and is distinguished nationally for its top-ranked program in intellectual property. For more information, see law.scu.edu.

About Cooper, White & Cooper
Cooper, White & Cooper LLP is a firm of 50 lawyers, with offices in San Francisco and Walnut Creek, California. Founded in 1896, Cooper's practice has expanded over its 100+ year history to provide comprehensive representation in most areas of business law and civil trial practice. Cooper's principal commitment is personal service and dedication to clients. We offer independent professional counsel and zealous representation by lawyers with integrity who learn their clients and industries. Our attorneys work across practice specialties, and in most instances one partner is responsible for all of the legal work for a client. Whether a small business or a large corporation, each client is important to Cooper, and we pride ourselves in providing effective legal representation at a competitive cost.

Media Contacts:
Deborah Lohse | SCU Media Relations | 408-554-5121 | dlohse@scu.edu
Zanny Marsh | Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism | 775-784-4783 | zmarsh@unr.edu