First Things First: A discussion on the First Amendment, the Right to Protest, & the Rule of Law

Across the country, protests have become a focal point of political conflict and, increasingly, a target of government restriction. From aggressive policing tactics to new laws limiting assembly and speech, the right to protest is under mounting pressure. What does the First Amendment protect in this moment, and how far can the government go in the name of “order” and “security”?

Join the American Constitution Society for a timely conversation examining the legal landscape surrounding protest rights and free expression. Our panel will explore recent crackdowns on demonstrations, the constitutional challenges they raise, and what these developments mean for lawyers, advocates, and communities on the ground.

The program will feature insights from attorneys Andres Lopez Delgado, Gerry Weber, and Craig Goodmark, who bring deep experience at the intersection of constitutional law, civil rights, and protest movements. ACS President Phil Brest will open the event with introductory remarks.

This discussion is essential for anyone concerned about the future of the First Amendment and the health of our democratic freedoms.

Protest Under Pressure: The First Amendment in a Time of Crackdowns

Protest Under Pressure: The First Amendment in a Time of Crackdowns examines how freedom of speech and the right to protest are being tested amid heightened enforcement and government responses to dissent. Co-hosted by the ACS Student Chapters at Georgia State University College of Law and Emory Law, this event will take place at Georgia State University College of Law on February 10 at 12:00 PM. The program will feature opening remarks by Phil Brest, President of the American Constitution Society, followed by a discussion with Attorneys Craig Goodmark and Gerald Weber on the legal boundaries of protest, law enforcement responses, and the future of First Amendment protections. Georgia State students can RSVP via PIN. Otherwise please RSVP by email ebest6@student.gsu.edu

Insights from the Bench: Coffee Chat with Fourth Circuit Judge Pamela Harris

Join American Constitution Society (ACS) and Judge Pamela Harris from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to discuss her journey to becoming a judge, her time on the bench, and any other general questions you may want answered.

RSVP is required for this event and will be capped at the first 15 RSVPs. RSVP at https://forms.gle/BGHTaCcYAd9b3Phd7. Sponsored by American Constitution Society.

For more information, please contact Virali Patel at virali.patel@duke.edu.

Reading the Constitution at 250 Years

Join ACS at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, February 10 in Gittis 213 for an insightful discussion on modes of constitutional interpretation. Hear from Penn Carey Law professors on how to approach the Constitution 250 years after our nation's founding, in light of the current political and legal environment. Lunch will be provided & we'll have time for a Q&A!

Black Letter Law: Both Sides of the Bench Perspectives from Black Judges and Attorneys on Advocacy, Authority, and the Law

This event is hosted by the Black Law Students Association and the American Constitution Society. This panel will examine how judges and attorneys engage with black letter law in both litigation and transactional contexts, with a focus on how the law is interpreted, argued, and applied in practice. Panelists will discuss the strategic considerations that shape advocacy and deal-making, as well as how judicial reasoning and courtroom decision-making impact outcomes on both sides of the bench. Attendees will hear from judges in criminal law, as well as attorneys practicing across a wide range of fields, including AI governance, civil defense, brewery and alcohol law, environmental torts, corporate M&A, venture and emerging technology, labor and employment, employment litigation, workplace safety and compliance, and-ideally-intellectual property in sports and entertainment.