Memorandum

To:	William L. Martin, III
From:	H. Sparrow
Subject:	Courts & Media Seminar Publicity Campaign Project
Date:	October 8, 2003
This memo recaps information on the Centennial should you decide to use it as your publicity project for this seminar. First, is a list of possible activities for the Centennial. I gave Judge Ruffin the first part of this list at your request a number of months ago. Since then I have thought of other possibilities which are located below the black line and were not sent to Judge Ruffin. Per my conversation with Judge Ruffin this afternoon, I understand that the Centennial Committee has not adopted any specific plans yet except the Court History Project and a dinner or event to recognize past judges and honor the deceased judges. As you know, IT has proposed a video project. Judge Ruffin still expects the committee to solicit ideas from attorney and non-attorney court personnel at some point. Following the list of possibly Centennial activities, I have provided some notes on the possibility of public service announcements and who are the potential targets of media efforts.

I. POSSIBLE CENTENNIAL ACTIVITIES

Ask State Bar to Profile Current Judges in Several Issues of the State Bar Journal for the Year

Ask Archives for any old documents or photographs, copies of old orders, dockets, briefs, old seal. Check old newspaper archives, even check History Channel This Day in History Program to find out what was happening in world, U.S. and Georgia news on day in which Court held its first arguments.

Solicit past judges or attorneys who may contribute photos or mementos and/or stories which might be used in a publication or display.

COA Judge Liaison or Scott Henwood - Legal History Foundation- location of books, journals, old bios, history, interesting cases?

See if it might be feasible to hold a day of arguments in the Capitol appropriations room because of its historical connection to the first meeting of the Court. Obtain media coverage or create and offer public service announcement for radio.

Obtain recognition by the Governor or Legislature in a resolution

Create a special program about the court for Law Day (month) 1907 in the schools. Coordinate it with the Law Related Education Consortium and DOE. Encourage judges and law clerks to go to schools and present program. Maybe powerpoint and appellate court cases important to juvenile rights and responsibilities.

Creation of some type of small memento e.g., a pin, etc. that can be worn during a specific month of the year by judges and COA personnel

Inaugurate and announce some new program for attorneys or public such as electronic notices or filings, web cast of arguments or anything else. Create press releases.

Hold a whole court family picnic and softball or volleyball game. Inexpensive version would be pot luck or an informal get together at a bar or restaurant.

Formal ceremony and reception for all former judges, employees, and invitees.

Judges participate in the Bridging the Gap MCLE program for year doing the appellate case review and also bringing attention to the anniversary.

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Additional Suggestions:

Volunteer day- Hands on Atlanta, Food Bank, Park, or School, etc. Maybe coordinate with State Bar.

Inaugurate new Courtroom Tour for High School Seniors (Coordinate with Therrell High and Atlanta Bar) and College Students (find someone to coordinate at GSU), oral argument and power point, discussion with attorneys representing parties after argument. Select cases ahead agreement of parties do spring and fall?

Visual Display at Capitol? Ed. Center? State Bar Offices? Outside Courtroom? At new Archives Bldg.? Old photos, books, including court records or dockets, documents, judge's memorabilia.

Oral Argument on Web

II. POSSIBLE MEDIA ACTIVITIES:

Invitation to Cover Planned Events such as dinner or oral argument. Prepare for media pre-event package or at least personal contact.

If a videotape is made, perhaps film at same time footage for a couple of public service announcements.

Use research of Professor for Court History to develop excerpt or interesting stories, events, etc. for Bar Journal Article or Dinner Presentation

Public Service Announcements - Humor, catchy, maybe personal experience of current judges or past, also something about court from prominent attorneys such as Garland, Harvey, Cook, Sanders, Bowers something inspirational? significant case? or historical changes in Court operation? What has your appellate court done for you? Recent efficiencies, help to public. Snippet of oral argument? Contact Daily Report and Consti court reporter's in person to assist, also judges' home newspapers; also Bar's media people Use anyone's connection to get volunteer aid on this from radio or TV (maybe WSB, WABE, GPTV) Use knowledge maybe of Katie Wood, attorney and former Information Office of Ga. Supreme Court and Angie Wright Reaves.

III. TARGET AUDIENCES OF PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN AND REASON FOR TARGETING

State Officials - extol appellate court's place in state government

Lawyers - reemphasize goals of judicial system, sacrifice of lawyers, professionalism and service to public.

General Public - instill appreciation of role of court in society, improve understanding of appellate court process

School Children - instill good citizenship and understanding of appellate court's role

Former and Current Judges and Employees - celebrate accomplishments, boost morale

Media - all of the above