May 7, 2020 – COVID-19 and the Courts: Federal Court Procedures Under Quarantine

May 7, 2020 - CLE

Sponsored by the Federal Bar Section

Date: May 7, 2020
Time: 12 – 1:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
Cost: FREE
Credit Approval: 1 CLE Credit

Join this distinguished panel of Wyoming U.S. District Court Judges and the Clerk of Court for a discussion of how Wyoming federal court operations in light of global COVID-19 pandemic. How have court procedures been adapted for criminal and civil cases, and what can you do to advocate effectively before the federal courts in this new environment? Judge Skavdahl, Judge Rankin, and Ms. Maggie Botkins will discuss the latest local rules on court procedures, court access, and remote advocacy; the current effect of COVID-19 on court dockets and timelines; and what the bar might expect in the future as social distancing measures are relaxed.

Faculty
Hon. Scott W. Skavdahl was born and raised in Western Nebraska. He received his B.S. in political economics from the University of Wyoming in 1989 and law degree in 1992.

He began private practice in 1992 with the Casper, Wyoming law firm of Brown, Drew & Massey, LLP as an associate attorney. In 1994, Judge Skavdahl accepted a three-year law clerk position with the Honorable William F. Downes, United States District Judge for the District of Wyoming. Thereafter he joined the law firm of Williams, Porter, Day & Neville, P.C. in Casper, Wyoming where his practice focused on civil litigation.

In July 2003, Judge Skavdahl retired from private practice when he was appointed by Governor Dave Freudenthal to the Seventh Judicial District as a State District Court Judge where he served until his appointment as the Chief Magistrate Judge for the District of Wyoming on February 1, 2011. In February 2011 he was nominated by President Barack Obama to the Federal District Court for the District of Wyoming, filling the vacancy upon the retirement of William F. Downes. On November 3, 2011, his nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate. Judge Skavdahl presides in Casper, Wyoming, where he also resides with his wife Cidne (Sidney).

Hon. Kelly Rankin is the Chief Magistrate Judge for the District of Wyoming. Prior to his appointment in 2012 he served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office as an assistant, criminal chief, and as the presidentially appointed United States Attorney. Judge Rankin also served in the Lincoln County Attorney’s Office, as the twice elected Park County Attorney, and counsel to former Governor Dave Freudenthal. Judge Rankin also worked in private practice in Cody. He obtained both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wyoming. Judge Rankin lives in Cheyenne.

Margaret (Maggie) Botkins was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa. Her family moved to Wyoming in 1973 where she attended high school and the University of Wyoming.

She began her career with the Clerk’s Office in August of 1985 when she was appointed as Criminal Docket Clerk. Other positions she held in the District were Jury Clerk, Appeals Deputy, Courtroom Deputy and Operations Supervisor. She served as Chief Deputy to the District from June 2005 until the time of her appointment as Clerk of Court on October 1, 2019