The first speaker in Elon Law’s 2022-2023 Distinguished Leadership Lecture Series offered a preview of his upcoming appearance in Greensboro when he recently answered questions via Zoom from two Elon Law Leadership Fellows.
Dan Abrams joined Vanessa Garcia L’22 and Todd Bowyer L’23 less than a week before his scheduled visit for a short conversation about his career in journalism, the value of law school, and the interaction between journalists and attorneys.
“An Evening with Dan Abrams”
Abrams will talk more about his career and about the legal profession on Wednesday, November 2, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Carolina Theatre (310 S. Greene Street, Greensboro).
Elon Law Professor Enrique Armijo will moderate the evening conversation before opening up questions from audience members.
The program is free and open to the public. While no tickets are required, attendees are encouraged to RSVP to Elon Law for timely updates and other important information.
Excerpts from the Interview
Abrams on the value of law school: The thing about law school is that it teaches you how to think. It’s not just learning about statutes and ‘what does the law say?’ It ingrains in you a way of looking at problems, at looking at – in my world – the media. It helped me enormously in focusing on critical questions and critical issues.
Abrams on prominent cases that have influenced his career: The O.J. Simpson case is probably the case that put me on the map, to some degree. From a career perspective, living that case – it wasn’t just covering it, I literally lived in Los Angeles for a couple of years during the civil and criminal cases – was certainly impactful. The one that will always stay with me was the Bush v. Gore post-election legal battles after the 2000 election … because the impact was so monumental, and because there were so many legal issues coming at us every day.
Abrams on the way attorneys today work with media: Lawyers recognize the significance of media coverage. Put aside the highest profile cases. Even a case getting attention in a niche area can impact a client’s decision to settle a case, or the opponent’s decision to settle. It can impact the government’s decision on whether to indict. Lawyers are now recognizing that.
