Next week we will be having a number of firsts. The first time we haven't gathered as a group to share a cocktail and catch up with friends we only see a few times a year. Our first judicial education conducted entirely through zoom. Our first business meeting and election of officers conducted entirely through zoom. It won't be the same but so little has been the same this last year.
As I write this from my Covid courtroom located in my living room with my husband upstairs working out of the home office (he laid claim to it before I could) and my two sons schooling from their bedrooms, this has been a year with a lot of firsts. If you had asked me a year ago, I never could have imagined that I would be conducting court daily from my living room. That I would be a YouTuber. That we would go eight months without a single jury trial in Johnson County. That when I go to the store I would need to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer going in and going out.
But I have to say, some of these changes forced upon us aren't all that bad. We talked and talked about access to justice but before Covid we made every litigant take off work - a half day or a whole day, find transportation to the Courthouse, find parking, go through security, wait in a crowded courtroom or hallway before they could finally see a judge. Now - they can take a quick break from lunch and log in from their phones. It's not always ideal. I think we all have stories of people being only partially dressed, still in bed or going to the bathroom during court. But for the most part I just keep thinking "why didn't I do this a long time ago?"
So as we begin our annual judicial education - I will miss seeing you all. I will miss having a drink in the hospitality suite. I will miss breaking bread with you. I will miss learning with you. I will miss hearing your stories. Stay healthy. Stay safe. Keep up the good work. Don't forget to join us for our noon meeting on Monday (see meeting log in information below). And I hope to see you all in person very soon!
Jenifer
Join KDMJA Zoom meeting
Monday October 20
12:05-1:15
Meeting ID: 964 4897 2389
Passcode: 498730
888 788 0099 US Toll-free
833 548 0276 US Toll-free
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