Yesterday my journey through Delaware’s bar admission process took me to Day 1 of the 2017 Pre-Admission Conference held by the Delaware Supreme Court.  Here are a few of the more memorable take aways for those of you who are following along.

A Home to Corporations… and Many Chickens

Of fewer than 7,000 lawyers admitted to the Delaware bar since 1913, roughly 4,000 lawyers practice here today.  Over 900,000 people call Delaware home.  Over 1 million companies are headquartered here, representing roughly half the corporations in the country and 2/3 of all Fortune 500 companies.  What I bet you didn’t know is that over 200 million chickens live here. Fortunately, they are a very friendly and collegial population. And so are the attorneys!

Bankruptcy Court Is the Place to Be!

As soon as I stepped into Room 119 for Workshop 3, I knew I was in a special place. Newly minted lawyers jockeyed for a seat with all the enthusiasm of millennials at a Justin Bieber concert.  “I told you this is really the place to be!” one young woman squealed. The topic?  Bankruptcy Courts, lead by the Honorable Judge Brendan L. Shannon.  I haven’t seen this much enthusiasm in California about the prospect of spending an hour curled up with the local bankruptcy rules since 2009.  Folks, I am in my happy place!!  (And did I see Judge Shannon giving out autographed copies of the Bankruptcy Code as I left?)

Help, I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up

After all the excitement of the bankruptcy program, naturally, one could be expected to be a little lightheaded. So as I returned to Vale auditorium and scanned the isles for seating for the final lecture, its hardly surprising that I might miss a step.  Or two.  Or several, as I slid down a few rows, papers flying. As I watched the horrified faces of the 20-somethings surrounding me – Oh my god! Is that old lawyer okay?! – all could think of was the ruckus at my uncle’s funeral a few months ago when my 98-year old Great Aunt Barb fell in the middle of the isle just as the service was starting. I am pleased to report that Aunt Barb and I are fine.

But today I will be arriving early in hopes of switching out name tags at the registration desk and avoiding recognition.

The Fine Print

Yes, this means that I passed the Delaware bar exam this summer!! But, least there be any confusion, I have not yet completed the application process and been approved for admission.  MPRE results are pending.  The clerkship is still in process.  I need to procure an original transcript for a study abroad course that I took in Austria back in the summer of ’89….

Road trip!!!!

Mette K.

 

Six months after announcing my move to Delaware, I have settled into The First State! Along with my husband; a teenager; a grumpy, old dog; two electric Fiats; a truck; and a Harley.  Here are a few of things we have learned along the way.

Question #1: Dela… Where?

A few people (I won’t name names) have asked: “What state is Delaware in?”  More often, I’m asked: “Um… Where is that?”  Or just thrown a puzzled look.  So, for my geographically challenged friends, fly to New York, then drive south through New Jersey.  Stop.  If you hit Maryland, you’ve gone too far.  And pay attention, because Delaware is only 90 miles from top to bottom!  (Yes, it takes longer to get to a Dodgers game in rush hour traffic than to drive through the entire state of Delaware.)

Lesson #1: East Coast v. West Coast Stucco

One thing Californians take for granted is stucco.  We are surrounded by stucco in every possible color and texture.  It is cheap, versitile, and requires virtually no maintenance in a desert climate.  It photographs well with palm trees.  So naturally, Jeff and I immediately fell in love with a stucco covered home in Wilmington.  Moth.  Flame.

What we quickly learned is that Delaware’s average annual rainfall is 46 inches.  Los Angles, 7 inches.  And stucco is porous, so it loves to absorb all that water.  Suffice it to say that we are now veritable stucco experts.  If any of you have questions about stucco testing, flashings, drainage or other stucco/water related questions and have a few spare hours, give us a call.

Surprise #1:  Wineries…. In Delaware!

California accounts for nearly 90% of all American wine production.  We have been producing wine in the state since the 18th century, when the Spanish missionaries first planted vineyards to produce wine for mass. Wineries are everywhere.  Napa.  Sonoma. Temecula.  Malibu.  We celebrate our wines and our wine culture in movies like Sideways or Bottle Shock.  We recycle wine bottles and turn them into handcrafted soy candles.  We worship wine.

One thing I’m fairly certain Californians have never done with wine before is to put it in a paint can.  So you can imagine my surprise when I stumbled across Paradocx Vineyard in Kennett Square.  Their signature product?  A line of 3.5 liter pouches packaged in, you guessed it, a decorative paint can! And when you’re finished with the wine, you can recycle your paint can as vase or perhaps a decorative wedding centerpiece. No, really, I did not make this up. You can visit their website here.  In fact, Paradocx is only one of six different wineries and historic landmarks along the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail… and you can bet we will be visiting all of them as we continue our epic Delawarean adventure!

Stay tuned for the next exciting episode…

Mette Kurth