Judge Braun Offers Practice Pointers
On October 16, 2008, Judge Mark S. Braun, '86, visited with Washburn Law Clinic interns to offer practice pointers from a judge's perspective. Judge Braun, a Washburn alumnus, praised the quality of education he received from the law school, noting that Washburn graduates are well-represented on the bench at all levels in Kansas. He noted that Washburn University School of Law does an excellent job of preparing lawyers to practice.
Addressing the important topic of civility, Judge Braun emphasized the need for attorneys to talk to one another. He observed that in the electronic age, face-to-face communication is often replaced by digital substitutes in a way that diminishes important connections attorneys traditionally made when meeting in person. Acting toward one another in a civil and respectful manner is very important to maintain the integrity of the profession.
Judge Braun also spoke of the importance for attorneys to be succinct and clearly identify issues when drafting motions and pleadings. Whether writing or making oral arguments, attorneys need to be well-prepared. Judge Braun noted that it's possible for new attorneys to defeat formidable lawyers by being the more prepared advocate.
Doing our jobs in a manner that promotes public confidence in the justice system is another topic Judge Braun addressed. He urged the interns to do their jobs well, noting that the quality of our work has a big impact on the lives of the people we represent. He also noted that the quality of the work done by lawyers has a significant effect on how people perceive the legal system. Judge Braun closed by highlighting the important role lawyers play in protecting peoples' rights.
