Former Supreme Court Justice Jacobs returns to Young Conaway
Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP announced that Jack B. Jacobs will be returning to the firm as Senior Counsel in the firm’s Corporate section.
He practiced corporate and business litigation at the firm from 1968 until 1985, when he became a Vice Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery. He was then appointed as a Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court in 2003, and served in that role for 11 years before re-entering private practice in 2014.
“We are incredibly honored to welcome Jack back to Young Conaway after he has enjoyed such a distinguished judicial career,” said James L. Patton, Jr., chairman. “His contributions to the legal profession and incredible knowledge within the field are significant assets to our clients and our firm. We are grateful to again have him on our team.”
Former Justice Jacobs advises companies and boards of directors on Delaware law issues, including fiduciary duties, and with respect to mergers and acquisitions. He also conducts special investigations on behalf of company boards, serves as an arbitrator and mediator, and advises on trial and appellate litigation strategy matters.
Jacobs has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the law schools of New York University, Columbia University, Vanderbilt University and the University of Pennsylvania
He holds a J.D. from Harvard University, LL.D. (Hon.) from Widener University, and a B.A. from the University of Chicago.
The news of Former Justice Jacobs’ arrival comes on the heels of an announcement that two Young Conaway attorneys were recently appointed to the bench. Kathaleen S. McCormick was confirmed as Vice Chancellor in the Court of Chancery and Craig A. Karsnitz was confirmed as a Judge on the Superior Court for Sussex County.
Vella named fellow in governance counsel group
Patricia O. Vella has been chosen as a member of the 2018 Class of Fellows of the American College of Governance Counsel (“ACGC”).
Vella is a partner at Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Tunnell LLP, Wilmington, where she regularly provides advice on corporate governance matters and a variety of corporate transactions for publicly traded and privately held corporations.
She joins a group of ACGC corporate governance practitioners, “chosen from the ranks of lawyers in the United States and Canada who have displayed a high level of professionalism and a commitment to the advancement of the governance practice through a combination of practice and thought leadership activities.”
ACGC membership is by invitation only. Following the election of this year’s class, the College will have approximately 115 Fellows and Honorary Fellows.
Patricia also frequently speaks on Delaware corporate law issues at corporate law seminars and symposia around the country.
Williams of Richards, Layton & Finger elected fellow
Richards, Layton & Finger director Gregory P. Williams has been elected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers (AAAL). Membership in the AAAL is by invitation only and is reserved for experienced appellate lawyers who have demonstrated the highest level of skill and integrity. Williams is one of only two lawyers in Delaware chosen as an AAAL Fellow.
Primarily representing corporations, their directors and officers, and board committees, Williams has achieved many high-profile wins in the Delaware Court of Chancery and Delaware Supreme Court. Williams has successfully litigated complex corporate disputes for clients such as Dell, PetSmart, JPMorgan Chase, New York Stock Exchange, Monsanto, KKR, Barnes & Noble, and the directors of The Walt Disney Company.
Williams, who has served as Richards Layton’s president as well as head of the firm’s Corporate Department, is chair of the Delaware Supreme Court Litigation Rules Committee and former chair of the Court of Chancery Rules Committee.
Project New Start relocating to Widener Delaware Law School
Project New Start, a nonprofit organization, that assists individualstransitioning out of incarceration, has been invited by Widener Delaware Law School to relocate to the Wilmington campus.
In partnership with Delaware Law School, Project New Start, now in its sixth year of operations, is excited about this partnership which will afford opportunities for program participants, faculty and students to engage in service, teaching and research opportunities.
Dean Rodney A. Smolla said, “We are thrilled to have Project New Start on our campus at the Widener Delaware Law School. [Project New Start] has proven to be a formula for re-entry training that really works. We are deeply committed to the mission of Project New Start, and look forward to a long and fruitful partnership, as we assist Project New Start in its efforts, and in turn facilitate service and learning opportunities for our students and faculty.” Priscilla Turgon, Executive Director at Project New Start said, “We are extremely honored to partner with Dean Rodney Smolla and the faculty and students of Delaware Law School. Relocating to the campus provides unlimited opportunities for creative collaboration between our staff and program participants and Delaware Law School faculty and students. We are anxious to begin learning and growing together!”
The mission of Project New Start is to combat violence and reduce recidivism by assisting individuals in their transition to long-term success. Project New Start created the New Start Reentry Program, a comprehensive, no-nonsense, results-oriented occupational skills/job-readiness program for offenders transitioning out of state and federal institutions. The goals of the New Start program are to assist individuals in developing marketable skills, obtaining and sustaining employment and developing positive behaviors through cognitive restructuring. Project New Start has had unprecedented success in meeting its goals. The recidivism rate of New Start graduates is under 25% compared to a 76% recidivism rate for the state of Delaware. In addition, more than 90% of program graduates have secured employment and are contributing to the local economy as tax-paying members of the community.
State gets federal grant for community courts
The Delaware State Courts were one of five applicants nationwide announced by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, in partnership with the Center for Court Innovation, as a 2018 Community Court Grant Program winner.
“This is fantastic news,” said Chief Justice Leo E. Strine, Jr. “We believe our Community Court initiative will make a real difference in people’s lives, giving low-level offenders a second chance by connecting them with employment opportunities and other services they may need to become self-sufficient law-abiding citizens and we are pleased to see that the U.S. Department of Justice and the Center for Court Innovation are supporting us in this effort.”
As a selected site, the Delaware Administrative Office of the Courts will receive $200,000 and technical assistance from the Center for Court Innovation to develop and implement a Community Court that will serve residents in the city of Wilmington.
The expectation is that once the program is established in Wilmington, it will expand to other parts of the state.
Community courts respond to lower-level crimes by ordering individuals to pay back the communities they have harmed through community service projects, while simultaneously addressing the underlying issues fueling criminal behavior through drug and alcohol treatment, mental health services, and job training.
Nationally, research has shown that the community court model can reduce crime and substance use, increase services to victims, reduce unnecessary use of jail, save money, and improve public confidence in justice.
