For 20 years, the Journalist Law School has brought lawyers and journalists together in the shared pursuit of truth, justice, and accurate reporting. In this special anniversary episode, host Jill Webb is joined by Donna Melby, Beth Warren, and Dalila-Johari Paul to reflect on the program's remarkable legacy and its continued importance today.

Donna Melby, ABOTA's first female National President and one of the founders of the Journalist Law School, shares how a simple conversation grew into a nationally recognized program dedicated to improving public understanding of the legal system. She reflects on the vision behind the program and ABOTA's longstanding commitment to judicial independence and the civil jury trial.

Journalists Beth Warren and Dalila-Johari Paul discuss how attending the Journalist Law School transformed their careers. Beth, a former reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, was a Fellow for the inaugural Journalist Law School in 2006. She is currently a health care reporter for The Tennessean. Dalila, a former senior editor for CNN, is a 2022 Fellow of the Journalist Law School and currently serves as the National Editor for Capital B. They describe gaining a deeper understanding of the law, greater confidence in reporting complex legal issues, and lasting professional relationships that continue to strengthen their work today.

Together, they explore why accurate legal reporting matters, how lawyers and journalists can learn from one another, and why the Journalist Law School remains as relevant today as it was 20 years ago.

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ABOTA Speaks releases new episodes every two weeks.

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