Legal Shadowing Welcomes Family Law Panel

The Legal Shadowing Program continues to welcome prominent attorneys and judicial officers to Padua. The most recent presentation was a panel discussion on family law by Family Court Chief Judge Michael K. Newell and Gretchen Knight, Esquire, of the firm Morris James LLP. Both Chief Judge Newell and Ms. Knight acknowledged that family law deals with clients often "at the worst times of their lives." Chief Judge Newell warned, "You can't be a sponge and allow your clients' hardships to invade your personal life." On the other hand, he advised, "Have a 'soft callous' not a 'hard callous.'" Ms. Knight concurred. "My clients find me empathetic [yet] also able to provide guidance to achieve results that are best for them." Both Chief Judge Newell and Ms. Knight stressed the importance of preparation, accuracy, and integrity. "Your reputation matters," noted Chief Judge Newell. Ms. Knight echoed, "You have to be absolutely accurate and act at all times with integrity."

 

The Legal Shadowing Program is offered to students as both an activity and as a half credit course instructed by Susan Poppiti, Esquire, and the Honorable Vincent J. Poppiti.