Through Her Clerks’ Eyes II: The Barrier-Breaking Career of Judge Baker Motley, and Her Honor’s Living Legacy Empowering the Next Generation of Practitioners (Presented by the Federal Bar Association Diversity and Inclusion Standing Committee)

Moderator, Natalie Ellis, Associate Attorney | Riley, Safer, Holmes, Cancila, LLP

A dedicated and fearless advocate with experience in all stages of litigation, Natalie Ellis defends clients in complex cases, primarily product liability and mass tort claims, in state and federal courts. She provides creative solutions and strategies rooted in a deep appreciation of her clients’ business needs and objectives, putting them in the best position to succeed when litigation arises. Natalie is highly valued for her ability to grasp the technical nuances of her clients’ products and develop legal analyses specific to the unique considerations of each matter. Clients appreciate that she goes above and beyond to provide the most efficient and effective solutions. Prior to joining RSHC, Natalie practiced medical malpractice at a Chicago-based law firm where she defended hospitals, physicians, nurses, and other health care staff.

The Hon. Laura Taylor Swain, Chief Judge | United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

Laura Taylor Swain was appointed to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on July 11, 2000, and entered on duty on August 31, 2000. She became Chief Judge of the Court on April 10, 2021. A native New Yorker, Chief Judge Swain graduated from Radcliffe College of Harvard University, cum laude, and from the Harvard Law School. She served as a law clerk to the Honorable Constance Baker Motley from 1982 to 1983. She practiced law with a private firm in New York until 1996. Judge Swain was also the first woman, and first person of color, to serve as a member of the New York State Board of Law Examiners, and served as such for 10 years prior to taking the bench. She served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of New York from November 1996 until August 2000. Judge Swain chaired the Advisory Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States on the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure from 2007 to 2010. Judge Swain has served the judiciary and the community through committee and board membership of numerous organizations, and has received numerous awards as well as honorary degrees. Since May 2017, Judge Swain has presided, by designation of the Chief Justice of the United States pursuant to the federal PROMESA statute, over the PROMESA debt restructuring proceedings for Puerto Rico.

Bryan J. Branon, J.D., Principal | Branon’s ADR

Bryan J. Branon, J.D., Principal, Branon’s ADR, is an international arbitrator, mediator and business development strategist whose career has focused on the intersection of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and public policy. A former law clerk on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Court of International Trade, and intern in the Irish Parliament, Bryan has worked for several leading ADR provider organizations on five continents over 15 years where he helped establish the Afghanistan Centre for Commercial Dispute Resolution, the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution and the International Mediation Institute. He is a founding member of the Tashkent International Arbitration Centre “45” Steering Committee and previously served as the Ciarb Regional Relationship Manager for the Americas, the first Americas-based employee in its 107-year-history, where he established the Ciarb Americas headquarters and helped found the first Spanish-speaking branch in Ciarb history, Peru.

Bryan subscribes to a motto of, “it pays to volunteer,” and champions the value of voluntary bar associations which have allowed him to distinguish himself in the highly competitive international ADR profession. In addition to being nationally elected Secretary, FBA International Section, Bryan was elected Treasurer of the FBA Washington, D.C. Chapter and serves by FBA Presidential Appointment as Vice-Chair of the FBA Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He is the former Chair of the FBA ADR Section.

Bryan graduated from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Journalism and Mass Communication cum laude and earned his J.D. and mediator certification from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and its Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution in New York, New York. He is licensed to practice in Washington, D.C.

Bryan frequently lectures, publishes and consults on diversity, equity and inclusion, international ADR systems design, neutral appointments, and ADR strategy, procedure and contract clause considerations. He welcomes arbitrator and mediator appointments, consultancy, speaking, training and publishing inquiries both in the U.S.A. and abroad. Bryan can be reached at [email protected].

I. Chief Judge Swain, who will discuss Her Honor’s life and career | 2:00pm – 2:20pm

II. Behind the curtain and into the chambers of one of our nation’s most accomplished advocates, jurists, and public servants | 2:20pm – 2:40pm

III. The panel will discuss Judge Baker Motley’s impact and the opportunities that her work has created for all to advance within the legal profession | 2:40pm – 3:00pm