Orr & Reno’s Mediation & Arbitration Department Director and Chair James Bassett, a retired Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court, and Litigation Department Director Elizabeth Vélez will serve as panelists for The Rising Bar: Cultivating the Next Generation of Oral Advocates, hosted by the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association on November 17, 2026.
The program will bring together members of the bench and bar to discuss how to create more opportunities for the next generation of oral advocates in state and federal courts. Panelists will share their experiences, offer practical advice on developing courtroom skills, and explore the importance of mentorship in building successful advocacy careers.
The discussion was inspired by data and trends Justice Bassett observed during his more than 13 years on the New Hampshire Supreme Court regarding oral arguments presented by women. Drawing on their own experiences as mentors and advocates, panelists will discuss ways to encourage emerging litigators to pursue oral argument opportunities and how the legal community can help create more of them.
Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2026
- Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m.
- Location: UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, 2 White Street, Concord, NH
Learn more and register for the event here.
