One Student’s Story: Breakfast with the Federal Bar

Katherine Johnston, a 3L, discusses last week’s breakfast with the Federal Bar Association:

“On Monday morning, November 26, five lucky students attended the Federal Bar Association meeting at the Biltmore Hotel.  I was lucky enough to be seated at a table with such prestigious attendees as United States District Court Judge Ernest C. Torres, Federal Immigration Judge Paul Gagnon, Federal Immigration Judge and current President of the R.I. Federal Bar Assoc. Robin Feder, former President of the R.I. Federal Bar Assoc. James Murphy, and Guest Speaker Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. 

The breakfast was wonderful; the table discussion ranging from keeping in touch with the constituency, to personal family stories from the Senator.  President Feder hosted the event, introducing U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Whitehouse to lead the event’s discussion on various pieces of upcoming legislation.  Senator Reed spoke of residential mortgage loans, FISA legislation, upcoming immigration reform, and separation of powers.  Senator Whitehouse took a different approach, giving the audience some insight into his first year as “the happiest Senator” (as he was named by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid), and focusing on a specific provision of FISA that applies to American citizens abroad.  The honored guests then took a “tag team” approach to Q&As, responding to questions about Alternative Minimum Tax, and whether there will be any civil litigation reform in the upcoming session.  Both Senators were very friendly and approachable, and made sure to emphasize how hard they are working to make positive changes in America and for Rhode Island. 

What a wonderful way to spend a rainy Monday morning!”