Duke University School of Law - Prolocutor Yearbook (Durham, NC)

Page 16 text:

DUKE BAR JQUR AL Left to right: Robinson, Taylor, Moscou, Upchurch, Foster, Banker, Everett, Fleming, Browning, Douglas, Graves. HREE years of effort have finally culmi- nated in the publication of the Duke Bar Iournaf, a student edited and student written law review. Due credit is given to former mem- bers of the Publications Board who worked dili- gently to re-establish a periodical of this sort to replace the old Dalia Bar Association fozzrnczl, which was discontinued during World War II. Faculty and administrative support combined with student industry to bring to reality a law review exceeding the expectations of many skep- tics. Under the able supervision of faculty advisor, R. O. Everett, and student advisor, Bob Foster, the Hrst issue of the Dzzlqe Bar lournal rolled off the press in the middle of April. The publica- tion featured articles by eight students, including a prize-winning paper on television law written by Carlton Fleming. Most of the articles are distinguishable from the ordinary law review note or comment in that they involve more ex- tensive treatments of the subject. Preparing the student for a career of better legal writing is the aim of the editors of the Dzrlqe Bar Iournalj they feel that by encouraging the writing of longer and more authoritative works, this purpose can be carried out more effectively. PAGE I 4 Although the Duke Bar lozfrfml originated within the Publications Board of the Duke Bar Association, it has now been allegedly divorced from the political Bar Association. Editors and contributors are chosen with regard to ability alone, but the belief of the entire staff is that students who often do not rank at the top scho- lastically can still produce acceptable articles. Editors-elect for 1951 are Ray Graves, Editor- in-Chiefg E. N. Robinson and Bob Taylor, Asso- ciate Editors. In addition, all students who have contributed and taken an active part in the pub- lishing of the Iournal will comprise the Board of Editors for 1951. Don Stearns carried through the job of Business Manager single-handed and was primarily responsible for all accomplishments in the business department. Handicapped by a lack of staff and facilities, he nevertheless mailed out copies of the Iozrrnal' to 900 alumni and sub- scribers. To handle the increased circulation for 1951 a business staff of three will be selected by the Board of Editors. Editors for the first issue of the Iournal were Booker, Graves, Fleming, Taylor, Robinson, and McKinnon.

Page 15 text:

SECTION ON LAw DAY For the second consecutive year, Homecom- ing meant to law students Law Dayf' A hard-working DBA section under the direc- tion of Vice-President George Foss was in charge of arrangements. A fuller explanation of the event appears elsewhere in the PRO- LOCUTOR. SECTION ON LAW SCHOOL AFFAIRS Largely through the efforts of its Chairman, Iohn Pierce, this Section arranged for speak- ers to appear before the student body. The DBA was extremely fortunate to procure as its First speaker in the fall the Honorable Cody Fowler, genial President of the Ameri- can Bar Association, who spoke to the largest gathering ever to hear an address to the stu- dent body. I-Ie was followed in December by Mr. Charles W. Tillett, Charlotte attorney, who spoke on The Grass Roots Lawyer and Enduring Peace drawing material particu- larly from information gained in his position as Chairman of the Section on International and Comparative Law of the American Bar Association. The speaking schedule was capped on May 5 at a DBA luncheon in the Union Ballroom with an address by the Hon- orable Richard M. Nixon, CalifoI'nia's junior Senator, and former president of the Duke Bar Association. SECTION ON PLACEMENT AND ALUMNI AFFAIRS On the inactive list for several years, this Section was reactivated in Ianuary under the leadership of Ray Graves. Working in close harmony with Dean McClain, it aided in the preparation of placement forins and helped to formulate policies with an eye toward en- listing alumni interest and support. SECTION ON SOCIAL AFFAIRS With Al Sugarman and Larry Chisholm as co-chairmen, the Section on Social Affairs per- formed its usual service to the student body 111 arranging for a series of dances at the Shrine Club, and the DBA luncheon in May. The success of all these functions, and particularly of the Christmas and Spring Formals, speaks well of their efforts. SECTION ON GRIEVANCES AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT This Section, charged with the administra- tion of the honor system, is made up of the members of the Board of Governors and pre- sided over by the president of the Duke Bar Association. Fortunately, it was not called upon to meet during IQSO-IQSI. in Miscellaneous activities of the DBA in- cluded the holding of a Meet-the-Faculty Smoker for the first-year class in the early days of the fall semester and the financing of law school teams in intramural athletics. Led by Iim Gregg, the Legal Eagles took to the gridiron early in October. Utilizing the dreaded two-platoon system, they soon be- came the scourge of the freshman field, even winning a game now and then. Basketball season found no less than three teams repre- senting the law school on the hardwood. The following served as officers of the Duke Bar Association during the year: Carlton Fleming, president, George Foss, vice-presi- dentg Iack Lewis Qfirst semesterj and Lee Smith Qsecond semesterj, secretaries, and Clyde Propst, treasurer. PAGE I 3

Page 17 text:

MQGT C If T HE moot court section of the Duke Bar As- sociation was headed this year by Bill Grist. A varied and interesting program was carried out but undoubtedy the highlight was the K'Rain- making Case. For several years the Bar Association of the City of New York has sponsored a nation-wide contest in brief writing and argument. When the invitation was again extended to Duke this year the committee decided to accept on behalf of the Law School and put forth some effort to make a good showing. The case concerned the liability of a rain mak- ing company and their employees for taking moisture from the clouds which would have otherwise fallen on the plaintiIf's property. The word was passed around among the students and the response was most gratifying. A total of sixteen students turned out to try for the three places on the team. The partici- pants were divided into teams of four and each side, composed of two students, filed a brief. The big day for the elimination Hnally came and the arguments started. The same judges heard all the arguments and selected the three students that made the best showing in the judges' opinions. This was a difhcult task be- cause the caliber of the briefs and arguments were all excellent without exceptions. But finally the decision was rendered and Bob Taylor, Carl- ton Fleming and Robert Caldwell were chosen to represent Duke. The national headquarters of the competition had by this time informed us that the team we were to meet would be the one from Wake For- est College. On November IO, 1950 the big night arrived. The court room was spic and span-the audience arrived and were handed printed programs. The lawyers from Duke were ready to go and were convinced that their client, the plaintiff-appellant, who had been deprived of his rain had a meri- torious cause. But when the decision was ren- dered we found that Wake Forest had convinced the court that ad coleum still had its place in the modern world. Even though this year we did not get to New York for the finals, it is hoped that the interest shown by the students will continue and when the invitation is extended in years to come there will be like enthusiasm to represent Duke on a national level. PAGE I 5