The Boston Lawyer Chapter of the American Constitution Society and Boston Bar Association presented:
Justice and the Jury Trial
Featuring:
The Honorable William G. Young
Judge, United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
The Honorable Heidi Brieger
Associate Justice, Massachusetts Superior Court
United States District Court Judge William G. Young and Massachusetts Superior Court Associate Justice Heidi Brieger joined the ACS Boston Lawyer Chapter for a discussion of changing litigation models and a unique opportunity for lawyers to engage in dialogue with the Bench.
Judge Young shared his observations on how different styles of adjudicating litigation can affect the outcomes of legal disputes, and Justice Brieger responded to his thoughts on current challenges related to the changes brought about by the emphasis on the administrative model of trials. Formerly an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Justice Brieger provided a unique perspective as a recent litigator and now judge. Following their remarks, the judges posed questions to attendees and solicited thoughts on improving the courts. A reception followed the event.
Department of Homeland Security at 10: Past, Present, and Future
On November 25, 2002, then President George W. Bush signed the Homeland Security Act, which established the Department of Homeland Security and called for the largest federal government reorganization since the creation of the Department of Defense in 1947. On Wednesday, November 28, the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy and the Open Society Foundations hosted a panel discussion covering a decade of DHS accomplishments, successes, failures, and controversies, as well as suggested national security policies looking forward. The panel featured:
- Moderator, Stephen Vladeck, Associate Dean & Professor of Law at American University, Washington College of Law
- Michael German, Senior Policy Counsel, ACLU
- Seth Grossman, Deputy General Counsel, DHS
- Jamil Jaffer, Senior Counsel, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
- Wendy Patten, Senior Policy Analyst, Open Society Foundations
On Thursday, September 20, ACS hosted a panel discussion at the National Press Club examining the cases for the next Supreme Court term. Leading academics and practitioners took a look at the Court’s expected docket for the 2012-13 term and identifed key issues and trends likely to impact the Court's rulings.
Opening Remarks:
- Caroline Fredrickson, President, American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
Panel Discussion:
- Moderator, Adam Winkler, Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law
- Elise C. Boddie, Acting Director of Litigation, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
- Ilya Shapiro, Senior Fellow in Constitutional Studies and Editor-in-Chief, Cato Supreme Court Review, Cato Institute
- Lisa S. Blatt, Partner, Arnold and Porter LLP
- Thomas C. Goldstein, Partner, Goldstein & Russell PC; Publisher of SCOTUSblog
- Kenji Yoshino, Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law, NYU School of Law
On Tuesday, June 19, ACS hosted a panel discussion at the National Press Club examining the current Supreme Court Term and looking forward to the next. As the Term’s conclusion neared, leading academics and practitioners analyzed the Court’s most noteworthy decisions and identify emerging trends.
Opening Remarks:
Caroline Fredrickson, President, American Constitution Society for Law and Policy
Panel Discussion:
- Moderator, Thomas C. Goldstein, Partner, Goldstein & Russell PC; Publisher of SCOTUSblog
- Paul D. Clement, Partner, Bancroft PLLC; former U.S. Solicitor General
- Walter Dellinger, Partner, O’Melveny & Myers LLP; former acting U.S. Solicitor General
- Roger Anthony Fairfax, Associate Professor of Law, The George Washington University Law School
- Patricia Ann Millett, Partner, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
- Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
- Paul R.Q. Wolfson, Partner, WilmerHale
Presentation of the David Carliner Public Interest Award and Richard D. Cudahy Awards. Presentation of the Student Policy Advocacy Award to Sandra Fluke by ACS and the Center for Reproductive Rights.
On January 4, 2012, President Obama made recess appointments to fill four key government positions, including the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and three positions on the National Labor Relations Board. The recess appointments were immediately the subject of controversy, raising questions that were specific (e.g., about what constitutes a valid recess, the legitimacy of pro forma Senate sessions, and legal precedent for such nominations) as well as questions that were general (e.g., about how to address congressional gridlock and about the balance of power between the executive and congressional branches). This panel explored the legal and historical issues surrounding recess appointments, as well as outline possible reforms that could minimize the chance of future showdowns over executive branch and judicial nominations.
