On August 7, 2024, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School’s (AJMLS) Professor Michael Mears had the honor of presenting a paper at the Georgia Judicial Staff Attorneys Annual Conference in Atlanta. The conference, attended by over 100 staff attorneys from Superior, State, and Juvenile Courts across every jurisdiction in Georgia, served as a vital platform for legal professionals to discuss and dissect recent developments in the law.
Professor Mears’ paper, titled “A Paradigm Shift in the Rules of Evidence,” focused on the far-reaching implications of the United States Supreme Court’s recent decision in the Diaz case. The case has sparked significant debate and analysis within the legal community, particularly regarding changes in evidentiary standards. Professor Mears, along with 22 other evidence scholars from across the country—including only two from Georgia—contributed an amicus brief supporting the Government’s position in the case. Notably, this brief was cited by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson in her concurring opinion, underscoring the brief’s influence on the Court’s deliberations.
During his presentation, Professor Mears provided an in-depth analysis of the Supreme Court’s ruling, exploring how it represents a paradigm shift in the application of evidentiary rules, especially in federal criminal cases. His insights were well-received by the attending judicial staff attorneys, many of whom are directly involved in the application and interpretation of these rules in their daily work.
This conference not only allowed Professor Mears to share his expertise but also served as a significant opportunity to connect Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School with judges and legal professionals throughout Georgia. Notably, three of the attending judicial staff attorneys are graduates of AJMLS, highlighting the school’s continued influence within the state’s legal community.
Professor Mears’ paper has been published by the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education of Georgia.
For more about Professor Michael Mears and his career, please visit his biography.