On Thursday, October 9th, Professor Derrick Carter organized a networking trip to Indianapolis for many of his students to meet with various government entities and alumni. The trip was initially open to Professor Carter’s Criminal Procedure class, but several past students embraced the opportunity as well. Throughout the day, the class met with several Valpo Law alumni to discuss their jobs and their experiences in securing those positions.
First, the students met to hear three oral arguments before the Indiana Supreme Court regarding criminal issues: Pendergrass v. State, Gray v. State, and State v. Arnold. The Pendergrass case was the most related to a procedural issue, involving the question of whether the trial court erred in admitting several exhibits related to DNA results without the testimony of the technician who performed the testing, or if this admission violated the defendant’s confrontational rights under the Sixth Amendment. The Supreme Court justices will likely rule upon this issue within the next 180 days.
After the hearings, the students had a chance to ask questions of Justice Rucker of the Indiana Supreme Court, Justice Riley of the Indiana Court of Appeals, and Justice Vaidik, also of the Court of Appeals and a Valpo Law alumnus. Several recent Valpo Law alumni are current clerks for the various justices and also answered questions regarding their positions, including Dino Pollack, Jeffrey Earl, Josh Van Gorkum, and Jessica Yoder. Professor Carter also arranged for Valpo Law alum Sebastian Smelko, a member of Governor Daniels’ staff, and alum Heather James, who works for the firm of Ice Miller, to come to the State House to discuss their positions.
Subsequently, the students traveled down the street to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana to meet with Valpo Law alumnus Tim Baker, a Magistrate Judge for this federal district court. After a substantial question-and-answer session regarding federal law, the students took a brief tour of the historic courthouse and ceremonial courtrooms.
The students next headed to the Marion County Prosecutor’s and Public Defender’s Offices. First, they spoke with Valpo Law alumnus Carl J. Brizzi to gain his perspective on the status of crime in Indianapolis and his legal journey from Valpo Law to becoming the elected Prosecutor of the largest county in Indiana. To gain the perspective of the other side to criminal law, the students headed across the block to meet with Robert J. Hill, the head of the Indianapolis Public Defender Agency.
Professor Carter is known for his mobile classes. Last year, he took a group of fifteen Criminal Procedure students to the United States Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. to hear oral arguments. During that trip, the students explored the Supreme Court building and visited U.S. Acting Attorney Craig Morford. Professor Carter also visits the New Orleans public defender office annually with his Criminal Procedure students. Professor Carter is attempting to solidify a continuous relationship with the legal institutions in Indianapolis. ”The Indianapolis attorneys and judges love Valparaiso students,” said Professor Carter, “now the students see it for themselves and will prepare accordingly.”
All students enjoyed the trip, and agreed that it was helpful to meet with such successful alumni and gain advice in pursuing employment. Third-year Nathan Robinson stated, “Even for a student not particularly interested in working in Indiana, I appreciated Professor Carter’s endeavors to not only open networking opportunities for his students, but also to improve the relationship between Valpo and the various legal and judicial systems in the area.”
The students participated in other activities in Indianapolis, visiting restaurants and urban watering holes to discuss issues with law students. However, as the purpose of the trip was exposure and networking, every Judge, prosecutor, public defender, and political administrator recited a similar theme that they hire many attorneys through internships and externship programs. ”Most of all,” said Professor Carter, “you must not be timid. Be visible, take a stand and make your mark.”
Professor Carter hopes to make this trip an annual event. For contact information of any of the alumni met during the day, please email Professor Carter at derrick.carter@valpo.edu.
Abigail is a 3L and can be reached at forum@valpo.edu.
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