December 15, 2009 Attorney John P. Caponigro, President and CEO of Sports Management Network, Inc. and Managing Member of the Bloomfield Hills, Michigan law firm of Frasco Caponigro Wineman & Scheible PLLC, spoke to Mr. Miesle’s Business and Practical Law Class.
Mr. Caponigro shared with the class his experiences as an attorney and agent representing professional athletes and coaches (including NBA Hall of Famers Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, college football coaches Gary Pinkel, Brian Kelly, and Butch Jones, college basketball coaches, Brian Gregory, Stan Heath, and Tom Izzo, and a multitude of racing drivers and teams, including Mario, Michael, Marco, and John Andretti, Sam Hornish, Jr., Penske Racing, Rahal Letterman Racing, and Ford Racing) in negotiating sports employment, entertainment, and television contracts, including contracts with CBS Sports and ESPN. He emphasized the value of always being open and adaptable to change, both in one’s personal and professional lives. He further impressed upon the students the importance of preparation, hard work, and always giving one’s maximum effort, whatever the task, instead of simply “mailing it in,” by merely doing the bare minimum. In other words, to “Be who you are, and be that well.”
April 16, 2010
Class members traveled to the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas courtroom of Judge Gene A. Zmuda (SFS ‘77 and father of current SFS freshman Matt (2012) and Eric (2012)) to serve as jurors for a mock murder trial conducted by Judge Zmuda and the law students taking his Trial Practice course at the University of Toledo College of Law. The trial was conducted in accordance with actual Ohio trial procedures and rules of evidence. They were sworn in and given the instructions they would be given in an actual murder trial. After presentation of all witness testimony and arguments of counsel, the "jury" retired to the jury room and deliberated. After thorough and meaningful discussion, which evidenced the seriousness with which they assumed their roles, they returned a verdict of "not guilty". After the verdict was read by Judge Zmuda, the students engaged in discussion with the judge and the law student-"attorneys" about the trial and verdict. It was an invaluable experience and opportunity for the students to supplement our study of the American jury system and to actually see how a criminal trial is conducted and to participate in the jury process. As one student said of his experience, "I had the time of my life and enjoyed every second of it. Jury duty was fun and intriguing, and I would do it again in a heart beat." Also, "In the end, this was one of the most fun and enlightening experiences I have had. Sitting on a semi-real jury and experiencing an almost real court situation instilled in me an even deeper respect and curiosity for and about our legal system."
April 22, 2010 Attorney William Bingle (SFS ’64) spoke to the class on probate, estate, guardianship, and estate planning law. Mr. Bingle provided valuable insight into the importance of having a last will and testament in place in planning for property distribution upon death. He also outlined the procedures for administering a decedent's estate in probate court.
April 29, 2010 Attorney Stuart Cubbon (whose two sons, Phillip and Stuart are SFS grads) spoke on personal injury law and product liability. He also discussed the process for becoming a lawyer. He stressed the importance of competent writing skills. Mr. Cubbon reviewed the handling of a personal injury case from its inception through settlement or jury verdict and the appeal process which determines of a law suit is suitable for trial.
May 4, 2010 Darlene Sweeney-Newbern, Regional Director of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, guest lectured in Mr. Miesle's Business and Practical Law class. The lecture was also attended by Mr. Wielgopolski and his Social Justice class. Ms. Sweeney-Newbern has over 20 years experience investigating and supervising fair housing and employment issues. She works closely with the Ohio Attorney General's Office and advocacy groups and Civil Rights Enforcement agencies nationwide to expedite, educate, train, and provide assistance in investigating all types of housing discrimination matters. She is also an instructor at the National Fair Housing Training Academy.
Ms. Sweeney-Newbern's presentation focused on the Ohio and federal laws prohibiting discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodation based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and disability. She also explained the role the Ohio Civil Rights Commission plays in investigating and remedying illegal discrimination. The experiences and accounts she relayed to the students brought to life the stark realization that illegal discrimination is still very much present in our society. She alerted us to be aware of how our acts and the acts of others impact all persons because everyone potentially will be in a position to be a victim or a perpetrator of illegal discrimination. |
The Knights of Columbus Scholarship was established to provide a tuition incentive to a catholic high school student who has achieved high academic success. Marc Elfering, a freshman at St. Francis de Sales and a graduate of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) was recently awarded the scholarship by Grand Knight Michael Zmudzinski and Gene Sartor, Financial Secretary, of the Knights of Columbus West Toledo Council 3122. Elfering has been named to the President’s List at St. Francis for the first and second quarters of his freshman year having earned over a 4.3 grade point average.