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A Debate on Cato's "The Dirty Dozen: The Worst Supreme Court Cases in the Modern Era?"

 

ACS and The Cato Institute co-sponsored a debate on the new book, "The Dirty Dozen: How Twelve Supreme Court Cases Radically Expanded Government and Eroded Freedom." The book analyzes what co-authors Robert Levy of the Cato Institute and William Mellor of the Institute for Justice view as the worst U.S. Supreme Court decisions in the modern era. The authors include cases on a range of topics including interstate commerce, affirmative action, economic rights and campaign finance. Leading practitioners and academics from different perspectives discussed the book and debated whether the cases selected by the author are in fact the twelve worst cases of recent times. Additional discussion is available on ACSBlog.

2008 Chicago Legal Legends Luncheon

 

 

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.

The following people spoke at the luncheon:

The United States and Human Rights at Home -- 2008 ACS National Convention Breakout Session

This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the U.S. played a lead role in drafting. Some human rights scholars and advocates argue that the U.S. has operated under a double standard in that it has promoted a set of universal human rights standards abroad that it has proved less willing to apply at home, citing U.S. policy on the use of torture as a prominent example. This panel focused on what can be done to ensure that the U.S. fulfills its international human rights obligations.

Panelists included:

Northeast Ohio Lawyer Chapter Annual Luncheon with Senator Sherrod Brown

The Northeast Ohio Chapter of the American Constitution Society held their annual luncheon on May 19, 2008, which included a keynote address by U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown.

Speeches included: 

Toward Transparency: Examining Public Access to Information -- 2008 ACS National Convention Breakout Session

The panel looked at various ways in which government secrecy has increased in the past eight years, and explored an agenda for the future. Issues examined include the use of the state secrets doctrine and executive privilege; classification and declassification of documents; the Freedom of Information Act; and other issues. What needs to be done to further the goal of a more transparent government?

Rights in Conflict: Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Religious Liberty -- 2008 ACS National Convention Breakout Session

The panel reviewed the state of the law on protecting against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. Such laws typically exempt small employers and entities with religious missions but some still claim that religious liberty is being restricted. Some argue that secular companies must accommodate workers asserting religious freedom claims even when this would otherwise violate anti-discrimination laws. On campuses, religious freedom claims are also being vigorously pursued in lawsuits and other challenges. How do we address both religious liberty and discrimination in various contexts?

The End of Anonymity? Threats to Privacy in a Brave New World -- 2008 ACS National Convention Breakout Session

Our private lives are open books to anyone who can gain access to our telephone and internet communications, financial and consumer data, even our genetic data and video recordings of our movements. At the same time, our government asserts that to protect the nation from terrorists it has the right to monitor our private communications and obtain financial information from private businesses through national security letters. What safeguards are needed? Can and will the courts protect our constitutional right to privacy? Are privacy and security mutually exclusive?

Progressive Family Values -- 2008 National Convention Breakout Session

Women with young children are almost twice as likely to be in the paid labor
force as were their counterparts 30 years ago; the total amount of time that
couples with children spend at work has increased; and many workers have aging
parents who require their care as well. How should the law address the tensions
between work requirements and care giving responsibilities? Should these issues
be tackled as questions of sex discrimination and equality or as social welfare
policy? Do the best answers lie in lawsuits challenging sex-based stereotyping
and the disparate treatment of workers who are caregivers,k or in the
legislative initiatives such as paid leave requirements or child care subsidies?
This panel examined some approaches.

Panelists included:

2008 Supreme Court Term Review

On July 1, 2008, ACS hosted a panel discussion at the National Press Club examining the current Supreme Court Term. In the immediate wake of the Term's conclusion, a panel of leading experts including voices from both a progressive and conservative perspective examined the Court's most noteworthy decisions, identified emerging trends and suggested areas on which observers should focus going forward.

Guaranteeing Justice in the Civil Justice System -- 2008 National Convention Breakout Session

While there is a constitutional right to counsel at state expense for those accused of criminal and juvenile violations, no such right currently is recognized for litigants in civil trials or immigration proceedings. This panel examined innovative measures that increase access to counsel and how those efforts can be implemented and improved to better serve vulnerable populations in the legal system.

Panelists included:

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