Panel Discussion on Supreme Court in Transition Feb. 16
February 1, 2006
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
The conflation of two phenomena—a nation deeply divided over social and legal issues and the balance of power, and a United States Supreme Court disrupted by the death of its chief justice and the retirement of a longtime associate justice—is putting the Court (and indeed, the entire system of jurisprudence) in a new light for many Americans. The University of Baltimore School of Law will examine the transitioning Court in a special panel discussion, to be held on Thursday, February 16, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Venable Baetjer Howard Moot Court Room, located in the School of Law, 1415 Maryland Ave. “Preview of a Changing Supreme Court” is free and open to the public. (Reservation information below.)
The Supreme Court rarely draws as much attention as it has in the past year. The vacancies created by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s pending retirement and the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist focused the nation’s attention on the role of the Court and the appointment process. President Bush nominated John Roberts, first to replace Justice O’Connor and then to become Chief Justice. His confirmation is in marked contrast to the ill-fated nomination of Harriet Miers. The appointment process for President Bush’s current nominee, Judge Samuel Alito, concluded with Alito appointed to the Court.
With two new members, the highest court in the land will be substantially changed. O’Connor’s so-called “swing vote” will likely disappear, and if Alito’s nomination succeeds, the Supreme Court’s membership will include only one woman and one minority.
Four UB law professors who are experts on the Supreme Court and the Constitution will discuss the effects these changes are likely to have. Will current rights to free speech or abortion be abridged or expanded? Will Bush’s plan to use military tribunals for the war on terrorism be upheld? Will states be forced to pay damages if they do not accommodate prisoners with disabilities?
Panel members include:
• F. Michael Higginbotham, professor of law at UB and the author of Race Law: Cases, Commentary, and Questions. Higginbotham is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and formerly served as a law clerk for United States Court of Appeals Judge Cecil R. Poole.
• Michael I. Meyerson, professor of law and Marbury Faculty Fellow and the author of Political Numeracy: Mathematical Perspectives on Our Chaotic Constitution. Meyerson has published numerous articles on the Constitution.
• Elizabeth J. Samuels, associate professor of law at UB. Samuels is frequently involved in pro bono work in the areas of civil rights and child and the family law. She previously served as a law clerk to Judge James L. Oakes of the United States Court of Appeals.
• Byron L. Warnken, associate professor of law and director of the Judicial Internship program. Warnken has been a reporter for the Maryland Criminal Jury Instructions since 1981. He has been involved in three cases before the Supreme Court, including the Rodney King case, in which he was one of three attorneys on the amicus brief filed by the National Association of Police Officers.
To reserve a space in the Moot Court Room for this event, please call 410.837.7377.
The University of Baltimore is an upper-division, graduate and professional university. UB—the state’s career-minded university—is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the School of Law, the Yale Gordon College of Liberal Arts and the Merrick School of Business.