As the nation's lead law enforcement agency, the Justice Department is involved in many of the most important and sensitive government initiatives. In a nation of laws, the Department and the Attorney General play a unique role within the Executive Branch, and their relationship with the White House over the course of history has ranged from close to chilly. This panel explores the historical relationship between the Justice Department and the White House, and between the Department and the U.S. Attorneys. How independent should the Department be? How independent should the U.S. Attorneys be? What are the parameters of the White House's role in setting law enforcement policy, and of the Department's role in setting policy for its local prosecutors?

• Arthur B. Culvahouse, O'Melveny & Myers LLP; former White House Counsel
• Viet D. Dinh, Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center; former U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Legal Policy
• Judge Raymond C. Fisher, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; former U.S. Associate Attorney General
• Judge Merrick B. Garland, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit; former U.S. Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General
• Jamie S. Gorelick, Wilmer Hale; former Deputy Attorney General

Link to introduction: Real Video / Windows Media
Link to discussion: Real Video / Windows Media
Link to questions and answers: Real Video / Windows Media

Link to a transcript.