Appellate Lawyers Association to host luncheon in Collinsville

The Appellate Lawyers Association, or ALA, is sponsoring a Roundtable Appellate Luncheon on May 8, honoring the justices of the Fifth District Appellate Court.

The luncheon is from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gateway Center in Collinsville.

During the luncheon, retired Justice Stephen L. Spomer will be recognized for his years of judicial service on the First Circuit Court and the Fifth District Appellate Court. First Circuit judge Mark Clarke and Appellate Justice Bruce D. Stewart will speak about Spomer’s legal career, and the ALA will present Spomer a donation to the charity of his choice.

The ALA will also present a mock appellate oral argument at the luncheon. Appellate attorneys Edward Kionkia of Edwardsville and Curtis Blood of Collinsville will demonstrate the right way and the wrong way to present oral arguments to an appellate court.

The judicial panel will include Fifth District Justices Richard P. Goldenhersh, James R. Moore and Bruce D. Stewart.

A question and answer discussion period will follow the mock appellate oral argument.

The mock appellate argument offers 1.00 hour of Continuing Legal Education credit. A registration fee is required to attend the event. The fee is $40 for ALA members, $60 for non-members, $25 for public interest members and $35 for public interest non-members. Register at www.applawyers.org.