Name: Douglas Ashworth
Title: Executive Director
Employer Name: Institute of Continuing Judicial Education of Georgia (ICJE)
Location: Athens
Number of years there: 2 Years at ICJE
School of Law graduation year: 1987
Other degree(s)/institution(s)/year(s): University of Georgia / 1984
1. Who was your favorite School of Law professor? Why?
Perry Sentell. Sentell, the legend. Assigned to his Torts class as a 1-L, I wound up choosing to take every other course he taught. I can hear his wailing voice in my head even now. I wrote to him years later, pointing out some meager career success and asking, as a joke, whether he could adjust my Torts grade (a C+) upwards. His reply was that, not only did he refuse to raise my grade, it pained him to report that, having researched the issue, he was unable to lower my grade!
2. What is your most memorable experience from your time at law school?
Working on a death penalty case while serving as an intern with the Public Defender's office in the Western Circuit.
3. Where was your favorite place to study during law school?
A little-known table tucked under the stairs leading down to the basement of the main law library. Once, my book stack was moved by the janitorial staff. Why, I asked? No one is allowed to have a book stack there, they said. Then, I found out the janitorial staff dipped snuff, so I bribed them with a sleeve of cans. The book stack was back.
4. What advice would you give to current School of Law students?
A judicial clerkship was a great first job for me because I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to do with a law degree. Working for a Judge allowed me to see just about anything that could happen in a courtroom, and I had multiple job offers waiting for me in several different areas at the end of my clerkship. Besides, as a law clerk, the other lawyers (assuming they are clinically sane) have to be nice to you because of who you work for.
5. Please give a brief description of your responsibilities as the executive director of the Institute of Continuing Legal Education of Georgia.
I supervise a staff that helps plan and facilitate the educational programming for Judges of Superior, State, Juvenile, Probate, Magistrate, and Municipal Courts; and Clerks of Juvenile, Probate, Magistrate and Municipal Courts. Having practiced criminal and civil law in all levels of state courts, and serving as a Municipal Judge for decade, is invaluable experience in carrying out my duties.
6. What do you enjoy most about your job? What is the most rewarding aspect?
The most enjoyable aspect is the relationship with the Judges and the Clerks. The most rewarding aspect is when they report that a training we facilitated helped them do their job. Having been a Judge, I know first-hand the burdens they bear, and it's rewarding to be able to help them.
7. What is one of the greatest challenges facing your field right now?
Actually, it's the very same challenge faced by the Judges and the Clerks with whom I work: trying to do the best you can to deliver the best work product you can, given the financial and human resource limitations placed upon your office.
8. What do you do to handle the stress of your work? How do you relax after a stressful day?
Faith, music and hiking. Spiritual faith has been my anchor during storms I've weathered, playing the piano is a great way to release tension, and almost any problem looks a little better after a good hike.
9. What advice would you give to someone wanting to work in your field?
Be patient, it's a process. I never started out planning to be the ICJE Executive Director. Over several years, I evolved through the ranks from seminar attendee, to panelist, to sole presenter, to program chair; from educational planning committee member to committee chair; and, finally to a full-time job in continuing legal and judicial education. It was 15 years after law school before I finally went into full-time continuing legal education.
10. If you could share an afternoon with anyone, with whom would you choose to spend it?
My Father, who passed back in 1992. Wisest man I ever knew. Some examples of what he taught me: On Dating: "The goal of a first date is to earn a second date, if you want one"; On Memorandums: "The actual purpose of a memo is to protect the writer, not to inform the reader"; On Being Asked Your Opinion In A Contentious Meeting: "Never, ever, miss a really good opportunity - to just shut up". You get the idea.
11. How do you stay up to date on legal issues and trends?
I am active in NASJE (National Association of State Judicial Educators). I still read the advance sheets, which is the best way I've found to stay current overall. Oh, and simply listening to the Judges I facilitate trainings for. Judges are most generous with their advice (wink).
12. When you look out your office window, what do you see?
Greenery. And I appreciate it every day, because I've had my share of offices with views of cubicles or concrete or walls.