"My first time called upon in Law School was in Torts very early in my law school career. As I remember, the class was just after lunch in one of the large lecture halls. People always walked in a little late and generally talking loudly. The professor had the habit of beginning by speaking softly in a conversational voice until the class would quiet down. My first time called upon was one of those noisy starts. As we quieted down, I heard the professor say “So Mr. Ellman, what’s the difference between the plaintiff and the defendant?” It seemed like a simple and strange question, but being a new student I gave a the only answer I could think of. That was that the plaintiff brought the action and the defendant defended. At that point, every one looked at me like I was making a joke or worse was an idiot. Luckily, the student next to me asked whether the Professor had asked the question with respect to a specific case, because we couldn’t hear her. When the Professor said that she was in fact referring to a specific case, I felt like hugging my classmate for saving me. Then the Professor said that the case was Tedla v. Ellman (my name!). At that point, I unfortunately had to respond that I wasn’t prepared for the case. Definitely, not my proudest moment. I did learn a very important lesson, however. When the question doesn’t make sense, ask to hear it again and always prepare when your name is one of the parties in the case.” – MARK ELLMAN L’83