Almost 30 lawyers gathered for the Chicago ACS "2008 Election Review: What's Next?" The discussion was led by John Levi, a partner at Sidley Austin LLP, and Charles Lewis, retired Vice Chairman of Investment Banking at Merrill Lynch & Co., both early members of the Obama National Finance Committee. Among the discussion topics was how the campaign's grassroots network could be kept engaged and how it might serve as both a source of input for governance and as a tool of governance. But, with today's social networking tools, this will not be entirely a decision for those at the top to make. Those at the bottom played and will continue to play a key role in organizing themselves. All agreed that we have an exciting four years ahead.

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A dozen lawyers, law students and medical professionals gathered at John Marshall Law School on October 21 to discuss "Universal Health Care: Is It Even Feasible?" The discussion was led by Dr. Quentin D. Young (Internist, Clinical Professor of Preventive Medicine and Community Health at the University of Illinois Medical Center, and National Coordinator of Physicians for a National Health Program) and by Nicholas Skala (Senior Policy Analyst, Health Care for All Illinois). One of the major points of the discussion was that an essential step in making universal health care affordable is eliminating the wasteful administrative cost created by a multiplicity of private payors by adopting a single payor system. The savings from doing this were predicted to be sufficient to support a fully universal system at no more cost than what is spent on health care currently.

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On July 1, the Chicago Lawyer Chapter held a brown bag luncheon discussion of the Supreme Court's decision in CBOCS West, Inc. v. Humphries, led by Cynthia Hyndman, the lawyer who won the case. The case holds that the Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits retaliation against workers who complain about racial discrimination. A dozen lawyers gathered for the discussion, which covered such subjects as why the Court took the case at all when every circuit to address the issue had agreed that the statute prohibited retaliation, how the case was briefed and the argument prepared, and why the opinion was written the way it was.

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On June 19, 2008, the Chicago Lawyer Chapter presented a panel entitled "Safeguarding our Seniors: Perspectives on Elder Law and Nursing Home Litigation," co-sponsored by the Public Interest Law Initiative. The panel featured Professor Marguerite Angelari who is the Goedert Professor of Law and Director of the Elder Law Initiative at Loyola University Law School, Steven Levin, of Levin & Perconti, and Kathleen Swanson who is the supervisory attorney of the Suburban Seniors and Ombudsman projects for the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago. Susan Feibus, a partner at Ungaretti & Harris moderated the panel and her firm hosted the event.

On Friday, June 6, 2008, the Chicago Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society honored five outstanding members of the Chicago legal community at its annual Chicago Legal Legends Luncheon. ACS presented the first annual Ruth Goldman Award, which honors a woman in the Chicago legal community who has made significant contributions to advance the status of women in the legal profession and the goals of ACS. The Chicago Legal Legends Luncheon featured opening remarks by U.S. Senator Richard Durbin, a keynote address by Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn and additional remarks by ACS Board Member, University of Chicago Law Professor and former Dean Geoffrey R. Stone.

On May 1, 2008, the Chicago Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society For Law & Policy, the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum welcomed two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Lewis for an immensely enjoyable evening’s discussion on the 1st Amendment.

Mr. Lewis is one of the country’s most esteemed experts on the First Amendment and the author of the classic Gideon’s Trumpet. He came to share his latest work, Freedom for the Thought That We Hate: A Biography of the First Amendment, which traces the First Amendment from its early origins and engages such contemporary issues as hate speech and journalists' claim of a right to conceal confidential sources.

His biography includes:

1969-2001 Columnist for the New York Times op-ed page, including covering the U.S. Supreme Court.

Since the mid 1970’s Lewis has taught at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism.

The Chicago Lawyer Chapter held its monthly discussion group on the topic of “Equalitarian vs. Libertarian Constitutionalism: How Do They Differ, Should We be Concerned?” The lively discussion was moderated by two professors from John Marshall Law School, Walter Kendall, a progressive, and William Ford, a conservative. Participants delved into the legacy of historical theorists such as James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Locke, as well as the positions of modern-day advocates Cass Sunstein and Roger Pilon. Among the factors cited in favor of the progressive approach were the development of technology and the growth of international commerce, both of which have given rise to issues which the Founding Fathers never anticipated. Professors Kendall and Ford are working to develop a law school course that will further expand on upon this topic. Discussion participants actively contributed their ideas and suggested readings for the course.

The Chicago Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society, in collaboration with the Chicago Bar Association's Committee on Constitutional Law and Civil Rights, hosted Pultizer Prize winning journalist Charlie Savage on December 3, 2007. Savage, author of the book "TAKEOVER: The Return of the Imperial Presidency and the Subversion of American Democracy," spoke to a large crowd who gathered to hear his cautionary remarks regarding the dangers of the power grab being orchestrated by the Executive branch. Jeffrey E. Martin, a partner at Levin & Perconti, introduced Savage by highlighting his remarkable accomplishments and the glowing reviews that the book has garnered. An intense question-and-answer period followed Savage's prepared remarks.

Chicago Lawyer Chapter Republic 2.0

On October 10, 2007, nearly 50 Chicago ACS members and supporters attended "Republic 2.0", featuring author and professor Cass Sunstein, of the University of Chicago Law School. Professor Sunstein, in a program led by former Chicago Public Radio host Gretchen Helfrich, discussed his recent book, Republic.com 2.0, and the importance of exposure to opposing viewpoints in ensuring moderation in legal, public policy, and other decision-making. The Chicago Lawyer Chapter co-sponsored the event with the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum.

On July 9th, the ACS Chicago Lawyer Chapter hosted "The 2006-07 Supreme Court Term - The Relationship between the Justices' Views about Discrimination and The Opinions". The event featured a discussion with Carolyn Shapiro Assistant Professor of Law, Chicago Kent College of Law; former clerk, Justice Stephen G. Breyer, and centered on Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Inc; Gonzales v. Carhart; Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1; and Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 the Chicago Lawyer Chapter hosted an event entitled "Women of Color in the Legal Profession: Success Strategies for Law Firms".

The event was hosted by Jenner & Block, and co-sponsored by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession as well as other prominent organizations and law firms. The discussion featured: Paulette Brown, Partner, Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP and Chair, ABA Commission on Women in the Profession - Women of Color Committee; Gregory S. Gallopoulos, Managing Partner, Jenner & Block LLP; Susan R. Lichtenstein, Corporate Vice President and General Counsel, Baxter International, Inc.; Pamela J. Roberts , Partner, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP and Chair, ABA Commission on Women in the Profession; Vincent A.F. Sergi, National Managing Partner, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP; Christina M. Tchen, Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates; and Charlotte L. Wager, Director of Professional Development and Partner, Jenner & Block LLP.

Keynote speaker Judge David S. Tatel

On Thursday, May 31, 2007, the Chicago Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society (ACS) hosted its annual Legal Legends Luncheon. This spectacular event honored The Honorable Mary Ann McMorrow, Ronald S. Miller, James D. Montogmery, and The Honorable Milton I. Shadur. In addition to remarks from all of the 2007 Honorees, the event also featured introducations by Professor Geoffrey Stone, welcoming remarks from ACS Executive Director Lisa Brown, and a keynote address by Judge David S. Tatel.

Please join the Chicago Lawyer Chapter for a brown bag lunch series of participatory, small group discussions.

The group meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at 12:15 at John Marshall Law School- located at 315 S. Plymouth Court (next door to the Chicago Bar Association). Guests and prospective ACS members are always welcome.

Kermit Roosevelt, III, author of The Myth of Judicial Activism, signing his book

In January, the Chicago Lawyer Chapter hosted Kermit Roosevelt, who spoke about "The Myth of Judicial Activism." Kermit Roosevelt is an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and he spoke to chapter members about his new book: The Myth of Judicial Activism: Making Sense of Supreme Court Decisions. The event was co-sponsored by the DePaul College of Law ACS Student Chapter. Chapter members enjoyed hearing Kermit speak about his study of many Supreme Court Justices and their decisions.

 

The ACS Chicago Lawyer Chapter held a luncheon last week honoring Chicago Legal Legends Hon. George Leighton, Hon. Newton Minow, Hon. Dawn Clark Netsch and Hon. Abner Mikva. The keynote speaker was Congresswoman Jan Schakowsy. ACS Executive Director Lisa Brown and Professor Geoffrey Stone also made remarks at the event, which drew over 160 attendees. Above (from left to right): Prof. Geoffrey Stone; Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky; Hon. George Leighton; Hon. Dawn Clark Netsch; Hon. Abner Mikva; Hon. Newton Minow; Hon. Lisa Madigan and ACS Executive Director Lisa Brown.