LEX FUGIT

CATHOLIC CENTRAL MOCK TRIAL-THE NEXT GENERATION

I am coaching the Detroit Catholic Central Mock Trial team this year.  So far, it has been a great experience with some fine young men.

I coached back in 2015 and came across this archived post from an old blog of mine.  Actually, this year's case has much in common with the issues involved in the 2014-2015 matter.  One big difference--for the second year in a row, the entire competition will be virtual.  Considering the numbers of students who descended on Oakland County Circuit Court for the 2015 regional, the decision is understandable.  Too bad that the students will miss the adrenaline rush of open court.

Good luck to all.

I had the pleasure of helping the Catholic Central Mock Trial teams prepare for the state regional competition March 14, 2015 at the Oakland County Circuit Court. This year's case was a fairly complex one involving claims of invasion of privacy and eavesdropping through remote computer monitoring of students by a company running a high school laptop program.

Of the 29 teams participating, only 4 get automatic qualification for States on March 28. Another 4 teams, getting Honorable Mention can qualify as wild cards. With so few moving on, a loss in any of the 3 trials in the Regional virtually guarantees elimination.

All teams were remarkably well prepared, and the competition was pretty intense. I was very impressed by our CC boys, who, in my unbiased opinion, looked like real pros. They, frankly, blew me away. CC owes special thanks to Faculty Advisor Erik Nilsen and Judge Lita M. Popke of the Wayne County Circuit Court who was lead coach for the teams.

One of our teams did get Honorable Mention and we await word about Wild Card qualifications.

Interesting to learn that one of our opponents today was Detroit Communication and Media Arts High School, which is housed in the old St. Mary's of Redford High School building.

Oh, yes, and by the way, CC won the state Hockey title March 14th as well.

LEX FUGIT-TOM AZONI

Tom Azoni, career-long trial attorney, Facebook friend and perhaps most importantly a graduate of Austin Catholic High School (Go, Friars!)  retired as Senior Partner at Secrest Wardle last week.  Among other things, Tom's bio states he was a part of the firm's "Amusement and Leisure" group.  I must find out more about that.

He posted a picture from his retirement lunch on Facebook with this comment: "Thank you all for the kind comments. I loved practicing law, particularly walking the hallways of the courthouses where I heard the best stories, heard and told the tallest tales and got to work with so many fine lawyers. Best to you all."  Jan. 17, 2022.

I never saw a more perfect opening for a story for this site, so I contacted Tom, and he provided me with this gem:

"Ok, here’s my favorite. I was at a settlement conference in Wayne Circuit. The judge sent us out to the hallway to talk about a resolution. When we got there, I said, “So, what’s it going to take? I don’t have much. It’s a lousy case.” The other attorney pulled out a vial with a yellow liquid in it and said, “Before we begin, my client would like you to rub this oil in your hands.” I said, “Has this oil been blessed?” He answered “Yes, it’s been sanctified.” To which I said, “Let me guess. She thinks that if I put the oil on my hands, God will open my wallet. Right?” “Right”. “Ok. Let’s give it a try.” After sanctifying my hands, I had to tell him, “Sorry pal, I still only have $2500”. She took the money. Tom"

Wonderful story.  That sure couldn't happen on Zoom.

I hope Tom will share some more of his stories.  If so, I can post them to my semi-regular Lex Fugit feature in Detroit Lawyer magazine.

Thanks, again Tom.  Enjoy retirement.  You will soon find that you still don't have enough time to get stuff done.