The Northern District of Ohio legal community will convene on May 15 for the Federal Bar Association's (FBA) inaugural Bench-Bar Conference, set to take place at the storied Carl B. Stokes U.S. Court House in downtown Cleveland. Promising to foster deeper connections between the bench and the bar, this event is marked on calendars as an occasion not just for continuing legal education but also for networking and the open exchange of ideas.
While the event has reached capacity, a last-minute opportunity has emerged for those wishing to attend. The court offers a remote viewing option in U.S. District Judge Dan Aaron Polster's courtroom – 18B. As reported by the Northern District of Ohio U.S. Courts website, "Anyone registering after May 4, 2025, will need to report to courtroom 18B for this seminar." With space limited, prompt registration is essential as the court is opening its doors, albeit digitally, to saturate legal minds with the wisdom of seasoned jurists.
Those who secure a spot will immerse themselves in a dynamic afternoon of panel discussions led by a blend of magistrate and district court judges. The discussions aim to enrich the practical skills of civil and criminal practitioners. Topics on the docket include discovery, case management, motion practice, brief writing, oral advocacy, trials, and beyond. It's set to be an engaging four hours of programming, complete with a CLE component, the application for which is still underway.
Complementing the substantive discourse, a cocktail reception will ensue, offering attendees the unique opportunity to rub elbows with the judiciary in a more casual environment. Registration fees vary, pegged at $120 for non-FBA members, $100 for FBA members, and a discounted rate of $80 for government lawyers. To be part of this inaugural affair, the FBA directs interested parties to their website for registration. For those invested in the fine workings of our legal system and the continual refinement of advocacy, this conference represents a moment to align, learn, and engage with the presiding figures of law.
