ACS interviews Erwin Chemerinsky,, Founding Dean, Distinguished Professor of Law and Raymond Pryke Professor of First Amendment Law at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, about his views on the Supreme Court at the 2015 ACS National Convention.
Tag: 2015 ACS National Convention
Changing the Rules on Access to Justice
In 2015, the Advisory Committee on Rules of Civil Procedure for the Judicial Conference of the U.S. will consider revisions to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP), including possible amendments to Rule 23 dealing with class action lawsuits. This presents both an opportunity to improve the ability of those who have suffered injury to have their day in court, and a risk that revisions could further restrict access to federal courts. What changes is the Advisory Committee currently considering? How will these alter class action litigation in the future? What changes in the FRCP should th eCommittee recommend to increase access to courts for those who have suffered real harm in employment, housing, the environment, and as consumers?
Speakers:
- Alan Morrison, Lerner Family Associate Dean for Public Interest & Public Service, The George Washington University Law School
- Elizabeth Cabraser, Partner, Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein
- Kahn Scolnick, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
- A. Benjamin Spencer, Earle K. Shawe Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law
- John Vail, Proprietor, John Vail Law PLLC
Alistair Reader Interview
ACS interviews Boston Lawyer Chapter Co-President Alistair Reader at the 2015 National Convention.
After Marriage
Thirty-seven states and the District of Columbia now recognize same-sex marriage, and the Supreme Court is poised to rule on the constitutionality of the remaining state same-sex marriage bans by the end of the term. Whether by judicial or legislative action, a vast majority of LGBT Americans will soon be able to enter into marriages that are solemnized and sanctioned by the governments of the individual states and that of the United States. But what happens "after marriage?" What will be the fate of the alternative family structures that were created by LGBT couples who sought protections in the absence of marriage? What will marriage equality mean for anti-discrimination laws in other contexts? What might be the unintended consequences of a marriage equality victory?
Speakers:
- Courtney Cahill, Donald Hinkle Professor, Florida State University College of Law
- William Eskridge, John A. Garver Professor of Jurisprudence, Yale Law School
- Nancy Polikoff, Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law
- Janson Wu, Executive Director, Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders
Kylie Oversen Interview
ACS interviews Kylie Oversen, UND Law School student and North Dakota state representative, at the 2015 ACS National Convention.
Still Unequal After All These Years: Continuing Barriers to Workplace Gender Equality
While workplace gender equality has improved after decades of struggle, there remains a long way to go. Despite passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009, women are still paid just 78 cents for every dollar paid to white men, and the United States is the only developed country that does not provide paid maternity leave. How will the Supreme Court's decision in Young v. UPS impact the application of the Pregnancy Discrimination Act going forward? How can barriers to workplace equality, such as the systemic pay gap, be overcome? Should we look to the states or the federal government to institute and enforce policy reforms on paid maternity leave and gender and pregnancy discrimination laws? Will President Obama's executive actions on paid leave pressure Congress to bring the nation in line with the rest of the world?
Speakers:
- Caroline Fredrickson, President, American Constitution Society
- Samuel Bagenstos, Frank G. Millard Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School
- Michael Eastman, Vice President, Public Policy, Equal Employment Advisory Council
- Sarah Fleisch Fink, Senior Policy Counsel for Workplace Programs, National Partnership for Women & Families
- Maryann Parker, Associate General Counsel, Service Employees International Union
- Hon. Jenny Yang, Chair, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission