A Fermanagh solicitor who secured Netflix star Jerry Buting, from Making a Murderer, as guest speaker at the European Young Bar Association spring conference in Belfast was “exceptionally proud” of the event.
Chair of the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors Association (NIYSA), Julie-Ann McCaffrey from Arney currently works as an Associate Solicitor with Cleaver Fulton Rankin. In a bid to make an impact on the legal world, Julie-Ann invited one of the world’s highest profile lawyers, American criminal defence attorney, Jerry Buting.
Mr. Buting is one of the defence attorneys in the case of Steven Avery, a Wisconsin man cleared of rape after serving 18 years in jail, only to be convicted for murder on seemingly trumped up charges just four years later. Filmed over a 10-year period, Making a Murderer is an unprecedented real-life thriller about Steven Avery and it has proved to be a huge hit on Netflix.
Mr Buting commented: “I’m very pleased with how well the European Young Bar Association Spring conference was received in Belfast. It was my pleasure to speak to so many young, enthusiastic legal professionals from across Europe who are creating a bright future for the profession. I hope everyone got something out of the conference and I was genuinely delighted to be invited.”
Mr. Buting praised the efforts of the NIYSA, saying: “I would like to congratulate Julie-Ann and the Northern Ireland Young Solicitors’ Association for bringing the European Young Bar event to Belfast. The ‘Making a Murderer’ documentary captured the public imagination and has got many young people interested in the legal profession once more.”
The conference gala dinner was held in the Crumlin Road jail and guests also included President of the Law Society of Northern Ireland, John Guerin and the Lord Chief Justice, Sir Declan Morgan.
Miss McCaffrey stated: “As Chair of the NIYSA I am exceptionally proud to have been able to bring an event of this magnitude to Belfast. With the help of our sponsors: Herbert Smith Freehills; Brightwater Recruitment; Cleaver Fulton Rankin; the Law Society of NI and the Bar of Northern Ireland, lawyers from all across Europe and further  got to sample this wonderful event and explore some of what Belfast has to offer. It was our pleasure to have Jerry Buting on board as guest speaker and we are grateful to him for accepting.”