Page 9 - Dallas Vol 5 No 1
P. 9

AALM: Describe your style in the courtroom.
Moyé: The court is formal, befitting the import and impact of the proceed- ings. We have Rules of Civil Procedure and Evidence, the Civil Practice and Remedies Code and the Dallas Civil Court Rules which inform every decision made in the court; all followed strictly. Adherence with The Lawyers’ Creed is required for all members of the Bar.
AALM: Describe your relationship with your staff.
Moyé: The staff of the court is indis- pensible to the court’s smooth and effi- cient operation. The coordinator, deputy clerk, reporter and bailiff work seamless- ly to see that all matters are set timely, heard promptly and decisions distrib- uted to the counsel when rendered. Most importantly, the staff ensures that jurors have a positive experience.
AALM: Do you have any advice for at- torneys trying a case before your bench? Moyé: Compliance with all of the rel- evant rules is mandatory. Preparation is paramount. There is no substitute for knowing the facts and applicable law of one’s case, and being prepared to pres- ent it clearly and succinctly to the trier of fact. Lawyers are expected to reach agreement with regard to the prepon- derance of pretrial matters (admission of exhibits, motions in limine, deposi- tion excerpts, etc., to devote time spent in court to the resolution of issues truly in controversy). Professionalism is re- quired consistent with the Texas Law-
yers’ Creed.
AALM: How did you decide to be-
come an attorney?
Moyé: Other than a desire to play
centerfield for the New York Yankees, I have never aspired to any other profes- sion other than the law. As a youngster coming of age in the 1960s, I saw lawyers as the vanguard – vindicators and pro- tectors of the civil rights of disenfran- chised people in the one nation on Earth which called itself the land of the free. For me, there is no higher calling.
AALM: What do you love about your job?
Moyé: We have the opportunity posi- tively impact the lives of citizens daily.
Sometimes, it is by showing to indi- viduals appearing for jury service how important their role in making ours a civilized society, which is determined by the manner in which we resolve our disputes. It may be seeing that an indi- vidual or business, which has been ag- grieved or injured, is able to obtain rec- ompense. In other circumstances it may be reaffirming that someone improperly accused of wrongdoing is vindicated by a judge and/or a jury.
AALM: What do you miss about being a lawyer?
Moyé: Missed most is the ability to be an advocate for someone who would otherwise be voiceless. Clients need someone to effectively raise their allega- tions or defenses. Being that voice – and having that voice heard was the greatest part of my career as an advocate.
AALM: Are there any challenges that you believe need to be corrected in the legal community?
Moyé: At the same time that we seen an ever increasing number of lawyers, we are also more individuals who are ap- pearing in court without counsel.  e rise in self-represented litigants has spread from the Domestic Relations Courts to the Civil District Courts. In the criminal process, individuals are constitutionally guaranteed representation, but there is no corresponding right to counsel in civil matters.  is is an issue being addressed by the Texas Commission on Access to Justice (of which I am a member), but will certainly need more attention (and more resources) in the coming years.
AALM: How are you involved with the local community?
Moyé: Judicial and legal education are areas of particular interest to me. I serve on the board of the Texas Center for the Judiciary, which provides ongo- ing legal education to judges in the state. I have taught at the center’s College for New Judges, which assists in the transi- tion of lawyers newly elected or appoint- ed to the bench. I also established the J.L. Turner Legal Association Trial Advocacy Workshop eight years ago, which teaches young lawyers how to be more effective in the courtroom. I do the same for the D.A.Y.L. in its Trial Skills Boot Camp
and have participated in Dallas chapter of A.B.O.T.A.’s trial advocacy series.
AALM: Do you have any mentors? What are some of the most important lessons they taught you?
Moyé: The Hon. David Nelson (U.S.D.C. -Mass.) and The Hon. William Wayne Justice (U.S.D.C. E.D. –Tex.) were two of the greatest trial judges in the his- tory of the country, and I was honored to be taught by the former and guided by the latter. Judge Nelson taught precision in reason and judicial decision-making, strict adherence to the rules and above all, respect for the Rule of Law. Judge Justice displayed the ability of the civil justice system to address the most press- ing needs of the least powerful members of our society, and the ability of the court to create and shape social justice in the face of intractable institutions and op- posed cultural morés.
AALM: Are there any changes in the future that you’re looking forward to?
Moyé: U.N.T. School of Law, of which I am a member of the founding board of trustees, is going to change the way law school is taught, and the way lawyers shape our society. Chief Justice Hecht said it best at the school’s very  rst con- vocation:
In our time, on the  rst day of Law School, the Dean would say ‘Look to your right, then look to your left. One of you will not be here for graduation in three years.’ Here at U.N.T., I say: ‘Look to your right, then look to your left. One of the three of you is going to change our society.’
People who three years ago had no hope of going to law school in the largest city in America that did not have a public law school now attend law school.  ey are bringing a passion for justice and social change, and an intense desire to make our society a better place via the law. Part of the mandatory curriculum requires pro bono service from each student, and the clinical programs are producing gradu- ates who have an understanding of court- room advocacy. I cannot wait to see the bene ts we will reap from their e orts!
Vol. 5 No. 1 Attorney at Law Magazine® Greater Dallas | 9


































































































   7   8   9   10   11