FedSoc Events

On November 14, 2019, the Federalist Society's Litigation Practice Group hosted a panel for the 2019 National Lawyers Convention at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The title of the panel was "Is It Time to End Life Tenure for Federal Judges?".
The framers of our Constitution jealously guarded the independence of federal judges, and the principal means they selected for doing so was to confer life tenure upon them. But a great deal has changed since then. At the time of the founding, federal judges were not alone: most state judges enjoyed life tenure as well. But now, federal judges are almost entirely alone—not only in the United States, but in the world—in this respect. In addition, life expectancies are vastly longer today than they were two hundred years ago. Finally, the process for selecting federal judges has arguably become more politicized than ever before—and some point to life tenure as the reason. Recent polls show that over 75% of Americans want to end life tenure.
Is it time to end life tenure? Are there ways to end it that do not require a constitutional amendment? Our panelists will debate these important and timely questions.
*******
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speakers.
Featuring:

Dr. Norman J. Ornstein, Resident Scholar, American Enterprise Institute and Chairman, Campaign Legal Center
Prof. James E. Pfander, Owen L. Coon Professor of Law, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
Ms. Carrie Severino, Chief Counsel and Policy Director, Judicial Crisis Network
Hon. David R. Stras, Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Mr. Stuart Taylor, Jr., Journalist and Author
Moderator: Hon. William H. Pryor, Jr., Judge, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

On November 14, 2019, the Federalist Society hosted a showcase panel for the 2019 National Lawyers Convention at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The title of the panel was "What is Originalism?"
While originalism is on the rise today, its content has become fractal with different views of what are the methods of determining a constitutional provision's meaning. This panel would look at the many types of originalism and consider the extent to which the theoretical differences will result in different outcomes.
*******
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speakers.
Featuring:

Prof. Jack M. Balkin, Knight Professor of Constitutional Law and the First Amendment, Yale Law School
Mr. Evan D. Bernick, Law Clerk to the Honorable Diane S. Sykes of the United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Prof. John O. McGinnis, George C. Dix Professor in Constitutional Law, Pritzker School of Law, Northwestern University
Prof. Christina M. Mulligan, Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law School
Prof. Stephen E. Sachs, Professor of Law, Duke University School of Law
Ms. Elizabeth B. Wydra, President, Constitutional Accountability Center
Moderator: Hon. Amul Thapar, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

On November 15, 2019, the Federalist Society's Telecommunications & Electronic Media Practice Group hosted a panel for the 2019 National Lawyers Convention at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The panel explored "The Future of Telecommunications Law and Policy".
In an era of unprecedented technological change and relentless innovation, what is the proper role of regulators in competition antitrust and innovation policy? America has achieved global leadership across a wide swath of technology sectors, but at what price? How should we balance global innovation leadership with domestic competition policy, and should our answer depend on the competition and IP policies of other countries?
*******
As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speakers.
Featuring:

Remarks: Mr. Brendan Carr, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission
Mr. Jeffrey H. Blum, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Government Affairs, DISH Network
Dr. Jeffrey A. Eisenach, Managing Director, NERA Economic Consulting
Ms. Angie Kronenberg, Chief Advocate & General Counsel, INCOMPAS
Ms. Giulia McHenry, Acting Chief, Office of Economics and Analytics, Federal Communications Commission
Moderator: Hon. Jeffrey S. Sutton, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Introduction: Bryan N. Tramont, Managing Partner, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP

On November 16, 2019, the Federalist Society hosted the fourth showcase panel of the 2019 National Lawyers Convention at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The panel discussed "Originalism and Precedent."
The Supreme Court has decided hundreds of cases, many of which do not seem to square with the original meaning. How much account, if any, should originalism take account of precedent. Are there particular precedent rules that originalism can generate?
*******
As always, the Federalist Society takes no particular legal or public policy positions. All opinions expressed are those of the speakers.
Featuring:

Prof. Tara Leigh Grove, Mills E. Godwin, Jr., Professor of Law and Cabell Research Professor, William & Mary Law School
Prof. Bernadette Meyler, Carl and Sheila Spaeth Professor of Law and Associate Dean, Research and Intellectual Life, Stanford Law School
Prof. Michael Stokes Paulsen, Distinguished University Chair and Professor of Law, University of St. Thomas School of Law
Prof. Lawrence B. Solum, Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center
Moderator: Hon. Neomi Rao, United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit

On November 15, 2019, the Federalist Society hosted the second showcase panel of the 2019 National Lawyers Convention at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The topic of the panel was "Why, or Why Not, Be an Originalist?"
There are a variety of arguments for following originalism today, such as justifications rooted in language, positivism, sovereignty, and consequences. This panel would look at many normative positions for and against originalism.
*******
As always, the Federalist Society takes no particular legal or public policy positions. All opinions expressed are those of the speakers.
Featuring:

Hon. Amy Coney Barrett, United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Prof. Michael C. Dorf, Robert S. Stevens Professor of Law, Cornell Law School
Prof. Saikrishna B. Prakash, James Monroe Distinguished Professor of Law and Paul G. Mahoney Research Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law
Prof. Richard H. Pildes, Sudler Family Professor of Constitutional Law, New York University Law School
Moderator: Hon. Thomas Hardiman, United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit

On November 16, 2019, the Federalist Society hosted the third showcase panel of the 2019 National Lawyers Convention at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The panel explored the question "Does Originalism Protect Unenumerated Rights?".
Does the original meaning of any constitutional provision protect fundamental rights? Substantive Due Process had been a target of originalists, but is it fair to dismiss it as an oxymoron? And even if Due Process does not have a substantive component, does the Privileges or Immunities Clause provide a justification for a fundamental right jurisprudence?
*******
As always, the Federalist Society takes no particular legal or public policy positions. All opinions expressed are those of the speakers.
Featuring:

Prof. Stephanie H. Barclay, Associate Professor of Law, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University
Prof. Randy E. Barnett, Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Legal Theory, Georgetown University Law Center
Prof. Jamal Greene, Dwight Professor of Law, Columbia Law School
Prof. Gary S. Lawson, Philip S. Beck Professor of Law, Boston University School of Law
Hon. Michael W. McConnell, Richard and Frances Mallery Professor and Director, Constitutional Law Center, Stanford Law School
Moderator: Hon. Kevin C. Newsom, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Introduction: Dean A. Reuter, General Counsel | Vice President & Director, Practice Groups, The Federalist Society, The Federalist Society

RESOLVED: The Free Exercise Clause guarantees a constitutional right of religious exemption from general laws when such an exemption would not endanger public peace and good order.
On November 16, 2019, the Federalist Society held the twelfth annual Rosenkranz Debate at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The participants discussed whether the Free Exercise Clause guarantees a constitutional right of religious exemption from general laws when such an exemption would not endanger public peace and good order.
*******
As always, the Federalist Society takes no particular legal or public policy positions. All opinions expressed are those of the speakers.
Featuring:

Prof. Philip A. Hamburger, Maurice and Hilda Friedman Professor of Law, Columbia Law School
Prof. Michael W. McConnell, Richard and Frances Mallery Professor of Law and Director, Constitutional Law Center, Stanford Law School
Moderator: Hon. Stuart Kyle Duncan, United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Introduction: Mr. Eugene B. Meyer, President and CEO, The Federalist Society

On November 15, 2019, the Federalist Society held the 19th Annual Barbara K. Olson Memorial Lecture at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. The lecture featured Attorney General William Barr, who discussed the development of the role of the executive in the federal government.
On September 11, 2001, at the age of 45 and at the height of her professional and personal life, Barbara K. Olson was murdered in the terrorist attacks against the United States as a passenger on the hijacked American Airlines flight that was flown into the Pentagon. The Federalist Society believes that it is most fitting to dedicate an annual lecture on limited government and the spirit of freedom to the memory of Barbara Olson. She had a deep commitment to the rule of law and understood well the relationship between respecting limits on government power and the preservation of freedom. And, significantly, Barbara Olson was an individual who never took freedom for granted in her own life, even in her final terrifying moments-her inspiring and energetic human spirit is a testament to what one can achieve in a world that places a premium on human freedom. Solicitor General Theodore B. Olson delivered the first lecture in November 2001. The lecture series continued in following years with other notable individuals.
*******
As always, the Federalist Society takes no particular legal or public policy positions. All opinions expressed are those of the speakers.
Featuring:

Hon. William P. Barr
Introduction: Eugene Meyer, President and CEO, The Federalist Society

On November 15, 2019, the Federalist Society's Labor & Employment Practice Group hosted an address by Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. Secretary Scalia discussed his plans as the Secretary of Labor as well as some important constitutional decisions involving labor and employment law.
*******
As always, the Federalist Society takes no particular legal or public policy positions. All opinions expressed are those of the speakers.
Featuring:

Hon. Eugene Scalia, Secretary of Labor, United States Department of Labor
Introduction: Dean Reuter, General Counsel | Vice President & Director, Practice Groups, The Federalist Society