In Episode 3, Judge Robert McGahey chats with us about the importance of public service during this week’s National Celebration of Pro Bono. Judge McGahey presides over a civil docket in the Denver District Court. In his almost 20 years on the bench, he has also served in the criminal and domestic relations divisions. In his 25-year civil trial practice before becoming a judge, he tried over one hundred jury trials. Judge McGahey is a familiar face at NITA trial skills programs and is the four-time recipient of NITA’s Volunteer of the Year award. Outside the courtroom, he loves to travel and is a film buff, to which his many law-setting movie reviews for our Legal Advocate blog will attest. 

Topics
1:49 Why public service matters
2:42 Choosing a career in public service 
4:48 Why I volunteer for NITA
6:18 How I found NITA 
7:20 Signature “softball” 

Quote
“If the rule of law means anything, it means that everyone who’s touched by the legal system should be treated fairly and with dignity—and that means everyone, not just the people that can afford lawyers. That’s why my favorite programs are public service programs—public service lawyers, immigration programs, tribal programs—and by teaching at those programs, I hopefully do my part to level the legal playing field by making sure there are well-trained advocates available to everyone who needs one.” Robert McGahey

Recommended Resources
Robert McGahey court bio
Asked and Answered: Judge Robert McGahey
Bill deMoulin obituary
Perry Mason
Erin Brokovich movie review
Chicago movie review

Upcoming Teaching Engagements
Deposition Skills: Rocky Mountain