4Th Annual Stitt
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Serving the Northern Virginia Legal Community JOURNAL Newsletter of the Fairfax Bar Association www.fairfaxbar.org October/November 2011 THE FBA ROOTS FOR THE HOME TEAM 4TH ANNUAL STITT CUP AT THE ANNUAL BASEBALL OUTING FBA Young Lawyers Section by Meg Hart and Laurie Proctor, FBA Young Lawyers Section Board Members and Co-Chairs of the Stitt Cup Committee On August 21, FBA members and friends gathered for some pea- On Saturday, September 24, 2011, the Fairfax Bar nuts, crackerjacks, and America’s Association Young Lawyers Section and the Fairfax Law favorite pastime—baseball. The seats, Foundation hosted their 4th Annual Stitt Cup at the Fairfax a covered block in Section 138 directly County Government Center. The event featured a barbe- behind the Nationals’ bullpen, were cue, live music, face painting, a volleyball tournament, ready for the game, rain or shine! and a chance to mingle with friends, colleagues, and their families. Stitt Cup is generally one of the Young Lawyers Section’s best attended events and attracts the most spon- sors. This year was no different, even with looming rain and wet fields. Over 60 FBA members came out to support the cause and enjoy themselves. Stitt Cup began over a decade ago as an event known as “Lawyerpalooza.” Among the regulars was Judge David Hon. David T. Stitt T. Stitt, who brightened the event with his larger-than-life laugh, competitive spirit, and sharp wit. Judge Stitt was not only an active member of the FBA and a talented volleyball player, he was also one of the event’s biggest fans. When Judge Stitt passed away in 2008, the Young Lawyers Board chose to rename the event in his honor and the Fairfax Law Foundation created a scholarship in Judge Stitt’s name. All proceeds from the event go to the Hon. David T. Stitt Scholarship Fund for George Mason University School of Law. This year, Stitt Cup raised over $8,000 in donations from law firms and individuals who generously The Washington Nationals hosted the sponsored the event. This event could not happen without these generous sponsorships Philadelphia Phillies on that late (see sponsor list on page 10). On behalf of the Young Lawyers Section, we are eternally summer day in downtown D.C. The grateful for those who continually open their pockets for this event. Nationals ended up having an unlikely 5-4 victory over the Phillies. The fate of Stitt Cup not only raises money for a worthy cause, but also provides a day of fun and the game was sealed during the last two camaraderie. As Young Lawyers Section board member Derek Richmond put it, “Stitt innings of play. Ian Desmond, shortstop Cup provides a unique and important opportunity for young lawyers to interact with their for the Nationals, hit a tieing home run more experienced colleagues and judges in a relaxed, casual environment. When those with two strikes and two outs in the ninth young lawyers can later approach those attorneys or appear before those judges with inning. If that wasn’t exciting enough, less trepidation, the entire profession benefits. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a barbecue, beer, Johnny Gomes, who plays left field for and volleyball?” Echoing Derek’s kind words, Young Lawyers Section President Josh the Nationals, was nicked by a pitch Isaacs commented, “Stitt Cup is the event that members of the Young Lawyers Section from the Phillies’ relief pitcher, Brad look forward to on an annual basis.” Lidge, with the bases loaded in the tenth, allowing the Nationals to secure Although Stitt Cup is meant to be a social event to raise money for a great cause, many another score and win the game. appear for another goal: to compete for the coveted Stitt Cup trophy. Participants are encouraged to form teams and play each other in a round-robin tournament. This year, It was a great day for baseball and a many formidable teams emerged in shape and ready to claim the prestigious title. Armed wonderful way to spend the afternoon. in matching jerseys and with experience under their belts, the Vienna Law Group took Be sure to watch the calendar for other home the title and trophy, beating Todd Petit’s Public Defenders in the championship exciting gatherings the FBA has to offer game squeaker. in the future. continued on page 4 President’s Column by William P. Daly, Jr., Esq. FAIRFAX BAR JOURNAL Official Newsletter of the JUSTICE FOR ALL Fairfax Bar Association 4110 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite 216 As I write this, we are finishing up a week of unusual Fairfax, VA 22030-4009 events for the Washington area. Let’s face it, we’re Telephone: 703-246-2740 Fax: 703-273-1274 not likely to experience both an earthquake and a Email: [email protected] hurricane in the same week again in our lifetimes. But http://www.fairfaxbar.org such news can overshadow some truly extraordinary news elsewhere. Just recently, we have seen the fall of Tripoli, as Gaddafi becomes the latest “victim” in an amazing year of dominoes Officers 2011-2012 in the Middle East. We continue to see ordinary citizens taking to the streets, often at significant personal risk, to combat oppressive political and economic President ........... William P. Daly, Jr. ....... 703-790-1911 conditions that have endured for decades. President-Elect .. Jay B. Myerson ........... 703-715-9600 Not only do most Americans lack a true sense of those oppressive conditions, Vice-President ... Edward L. Weiner ....... 703-273-9500 they also probably fail to fully comprehend the importance of our legal system in Past President ... David J. Gogal ............. 703-691-1235 providing Americans with the political stability and economic success that we have come to take for granted. Access to justice in this country is not a privilege Treasurer ........ David L. Marks ........... 703-385-1100 of the well-to-do or well-connected but a right of all Americans. Our justice Secretary ........ Douglas R. Kay ........... 703-883-0880 system, because it works, helps ensure that we enjoy living in a society where citizens can take to the streets in protest—but rarely feel the need. We, as Gen. Counsel ... Michael A. Minter ....... 703-903-9000 lawyers, are part of that system and have professional and ethical obligations not only to the legal system, but I believe, to our society as a whole. It is not surprising Board of Directors 2011-2012 to me to find that in many of those countries where citizens are fighting oppres- sive conditions, it is often lawyers who are leaders in those efforts. Richard A. Gray ................................ 703-218-2100 Valerie E. Hughes ............................ 703-273-0711 The changes that we may want to make within our legal system and our society are obviously much more modest than those desired elsewhere, but they are Christie A. Leary ............................... 703-359-7111 nevertheless important. Also important is protecting the system we have. The Thomas W. Repczynski ................... 240-507-1700 FBA and the Fairfax Law Foundation, its charitable arm, provide programs that help foster an understanding and appreciation for our system of justice, including Michael J. Shevlin ............................ 703-591-0067 our Law Day Program, Court Tours for students in Fairfax public middle schools, John M. Tran .................................... 703-684-4333 and our newest program, the “Rule of Law” project. According to a recent World Bank report, “[e]conomic growth, political modernization, the protection of human Robert B. Walker .............................. 703-437-5128 rights, and other worthy objectives are all believed to hinge, at least in part, on Young Lawyers Representative ‘the rule of law’.” [World Bank, The Rule of Law as a Goal of Development Policy, Helen Yu and Alison Guernsey]. Todd E. Davis ................................... 703-577-9686 Executive Director/Editor The “Rule of Law” project utilizes excellent resources developed by the Virginia Courtnie L. Norris • 703-246-2740 Bar Association and is funded, in part, by a grant from the Virginia Law Founda- [email protected] tion. It is designed to teach the concept of the rule of law to middle schoolers in Communications Coordinator Virginia. The program is timely considering the toll the current economic climate Kristin Derlunas Fisher • 703-246-3721 is having on our judicial system; namely, redistricting/consolidating, inability to [email protected] fund judicial vacancies, underfunding court systems and clerks’ offices, etc. Our Graphic Design/Space Advertising judicial system is certainly an easier target when there’s a disconnect, in the Ann Hill Thornton • 703-743-9375 public’s view, between the judicial system and the way of life we take for granted. [email protected] As for the program, the FBA introduced it last year to two middle schools and Classified Advertising Larissa L. Williams • 703-246-2734 later expanded it to six. We hope to expand it further this year to reach as many [email protected] eighth grade social studies classes as possible through more attorney volunteers and additional materials provided through the Virginia Bar Association. If you are interested in participating, or in receiving more information, please contact Sonya All articles or advertising submitted to the Duchak, at [email protected] or 703-627-1228, or Courtnie Norris at Fairfax Bar Journal are subject to the [email protected] or 703-246-2732. You will not regret getting involved. editor’s approval. The editor reserves the right to reject any submissions that, in the opinion of the editor, are inappropriate for the Journal. continued on page 10 2––Fairfax Bar Journal • October/November 2011 AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION UPCOMING EVENTS/CLEs Annual Report By David P. Bobzien, Fairfax Bar Association’s Delegate to the House of Delegates October 9-12, 2011 (Sunday-Wednesday) The 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Bar Association took place in early FAIRFAX BARdi Gras August in Toronto, Ontario.