NH Supreme Court “On the Road”

October 19, 2017 Winnacunnet High School Hampton, NH

Justices’ Biographies

Chief Justice Linda Stewart Dalianis Linda Stewart Dalianis was sworn in as the 35th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court on December 15, 2010 by Gov. John Lynch. She is the first woman to hold a seat on the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and she is the first woman to serve as Chief Justice. Prior to her appointment to the Supreme Court by Gov. in the year 2000, Justice Dalianis served for almost 20 years on the Superior Court bench, both as an associate justice and as Chief Justice. Chief Justice Dalianis was raised in Peterborough. She is a graduate of Northeastern University and Suffolk University Law School.

Senior Associate Justice Gary E. Hicks

The Honorable Gary E. Hicks was sworn in as the 104th Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court on January 31, 2006 after serving for four years on the Superior Court, the state's major trial court. Before becoming a judge, Justice Hicks was a commercial litigator for 23 years with Wiggin & Nourie, then one of New Hampshire's largest law firms. A native of Colebrook in the state's rural North Country, Justice Hicks graduated from Bucknell University with a degree in mathematics and from Boston University School of Law where he was managing editor of the Law Review.

Associate Justice Robert J. Lynn

The Honorable Robert J. Lynn was sworn in on December 17, 2010 as the 106th Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Justice Lynn was appointed to the trial court bench in 1992 by then Gov. and was named Chief Justice of the Superior Court in 2004 by then Gov. Craig Benson. He was nominated to the Supreme Court by Gov. John Lynch. Justice Lynn graduated from the University of New Haven in 1971, and received his law degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1975. Before being named to the New Hampshire Superior Court, Lynn served as a federal prosecutor.

Associate Justice James P. Bassett

Associate Justice James P. Bassett spent more than 27 years as a trial and appellate lawyer in New Hampshire, specializing in complex commercial and civil litigation, First Amendment issues and land use cases. He was nominated to the Supreme Court by Gov. John Lynch and, following confirmation by the Executive Council, Justice Bassett was sworn in as the 107th member of the court on July 19, 2012. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia Law School.

Associate Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi

Anna Barbara “Bobbie” Hantz Marconi is the 108th Associate Justice on the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Following her confirmation by the Executive Council, she was sworn in by Governor Christopher Sununu on August 8, 2017. Justice Hantz Marconi is only the third woman to sit on the state’s highest court. She graduated with honors from UNH with a B.A. in Political Science and received her Juris Doctorate from The Chicago Kent College of Law. Justice Hantz Marconi joins the court from private practice.

History of “On the Road”

The New Hampshire Supreme Court launched its "Court on the Road" program for high school students in May 2002 at St. Anselm College in Manchester. Since then, sessions have been held at schools all across the state (see back of program for list). The oral arguments at Winnacunnet are the Court’s 19th On the Road.

“On the Road” is a unique event, providing students, and community members, the opportunity to see the state’s highest court up close and learn about its work through a dialogue with the lawyers and the justices. “On the Road” is the only occasion when the Court convenes outside of the Supreme Court building in Concord.

Prior to each “On the Road,” volunteer lawyers visit each of the invited schools to discuss with students, in advance, the legal issues and proceedings involved in the two cases that will be heard by the Court. New Hampshire’s attorney general visits the host school.

“On the Road” oral arguments follow the same pattern as ones held at the Supreme Court courtroom in Concord. Each side is given fifteen minutes to argument their case. The only difference being, when each oral argument is finished, the Justices leave the bench which allows for the lawyers on both sides to answer questions about their cases from the students in attendance. At the conclusion of the Q&A session regarding the second case, the Justices return to the stage, without their robes. They are seated more informally and answer questions from the students.

Agenda

9:15 am Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:30 am Case # 1: State v. Felix Ruiz

10:00 am Attorney Q&A with students

10:15 am Case # 2: State v. James Bazinet

10:50 am Attorney Q&A with students

11:15 am Justices Q&A with students

11:45 am Closing Remarks

Noon Event Ends

Previous “On the Road” Venues

2002 St. Anselm College 2002 Dover High School 2003 Dartmouth College 2003 Plymouth State University 2004 Keene State College 2005 Nashua High School North 2005 Philips Exeter Academy 2006 Berlin Jr. High School 2007 Bow High School 2008 Souhegan High School 2009 Memorial High School (Manchester) 2010 Sanborn Regional High School 2011 Moultonborough Academy 2012 Monadnock Regional High School 2013 Concord High School 2014 Salem High School 2015 Bedford High School 2016 Bishop Guertin High School