Mr. Calkins founded the American Mock Trial Association, the governing body of college mock trial, in 1985. He has served as AMTA's President since then, until his retirement in 2004. He has been an attorney for 34 years and a law school professor for ten years. He has published two books and a dozen law review articles.

From 1959-61, Mr. Calkins served as a law clerk to Judge Elmer J. Schnackenberg of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. From 1961-69, he was an associate and partner of the law firm of Chadwell, Keck, Kayser, Ruggles & McLaren. From 1969-80, he was a founding partner of the Burditt & Calkins Law Firm. Mr. Calkins served as Commissioner of the Character and Fitness Committee of the Illinois Bar Association from 1972-80.

From 1980-88, he served as Dean of the Drake University Law School, and from 1988-93, was a partner in the law firm of Zarley, McKee, Thomte, Voorhees & Sease. In 1993, he entered the full-time practice of mediation and arbitration. Mr. Calkins earned his bachelor of arts degree from Dartmouth College and his juris doctor degree from Northwestern University School of Law.