Luczak learns from 7th Circuit dry run

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While attending law school in Chicago, Jason Luczak spent time for his appellate advocacy class watching oral arguments before the 7th Circuit.

Occasionally, it didn’t go very well for the attorneys.

“I’ve seen a few newer lawyers practically crying as they walked out of the courtroom,” Luczak said.

Little did he know that just three short years after graduating, he’d be making an appearance in that same courtroom, before those same jurists.

Luczak prepared as thoroughly as he could and braced himself for whatever might happen. He’s comfortable with public speaking, having worked as a reporter for the local PBS station and run the student TV news program while earning his bachelor’s at Ball State.

Luczak said he was pleased to report his 2011 oral arguments, at age 28, went well, sans tears or knocking knees.

He’d be even happier to report his client’s conviction for child enticement was overturned. But he can’t. The court found error regarding the federal district court’s admission of other-acts evidence, albeit harmless, in U.S. v. Knope.

Undeterred, Luczak filed a petition for certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court. Although the justices didn’t accept the case, he said, it was nonetheless an incredible learning experience.

“If I could do it all again,” Luczak said, “I would.”