The Thompson Center was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview both Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Bradley and Justice Rebecca Dallet. The Justices described the work they do and how it may be different from the publics perception. They also weighed in on some of the key issues facing the court in the contemporary context. Additionally, the Justices made some tips and recommendations to attorneys when they bring a case to the Court.

Dr. Gordon Wood, professor emeritus at Brown University, joined the Tommy G. Thompson Center to discuss the 1619 Project. Dr. Wood discussed the importance of the 1619 Project, where it is accurate from a historical perspective, and where it misses the mark.

Thompson Center Director, Ryan Owens, interviews Rep. Joan Ballweg.

The Thompson Center had the great pleasure of interviewing Dean Margaret Raymond, who has served as the Fred W. and Vi Miller Dean of the University of Wisconsin Law School since July 2011.

Dean Raymond served as a law clerk to the late Justice Thurgood Marshall of the U.S. Supreme Court and the late Judge James L. Oakes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Following her clerkships, she practiced as a commercial litigator and a criminal defense lawyer.

Dean Raymond's scholarship focuses on constitutional criminal procedure, substantive criminal law, and the professional responsibility of lawyers. She is the co-author of a Professional Responsibility casebook, The Law and Ethics of Law Practice (with Hughes, 2d ed. 2015). From 2013-2019, she served as a member of the Standing Committee on Professional Ethics of the Wisconsin State Bar and she participates regularly in providing ethics CLE programming to Wisconsin lawyers.

Yuval Levin spoke with the Thompson Center about the breakdown of social institutions and cohesion in America, and the rise of populism that is both the cause and effect of this cohesion it.  Discussion also focused on the status and modern development of the Democratic and Republican parties.  Levin also spoke on what the role of the federal government is to be part of the solution in addressing the problems of modern society.  He also addressed federal spending and the agreement of both parties that nothing should be done to address deficits.

Thompson Center director, Ryan Owens, interviews Christopher Scalia, author and son of Justice Antonin Scalia.

The Thompson Center was pleased to speak with Representative Evan Goyke.  Representative Goyke spoke on his district and the city of Milwaukee and its importance to Wisconsin.  He also talked about some of his work in pursuit of statewide criminal justice reform, particularly housing reform as a way to reduce crime, but also reforms more broadly.  Representative Goyke also spoke on being a representative and the pressures faced by all lawmakers that make bipartisan solutions difficult to accomplish.  One of his key take aways was that in passing bipartisan legislation the first step is the hardest and the fallout predicted by opponents to the legislation rarely materializes to the extent which was feared.

The Thompson Center had a very insightful conversation with Representative and Wisconsin State Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz.  Representative Hintz spoke on his time and experience working in the state legislature, and what it is like to be in a position of leadership among equals.  Hintz also discussed the barriers to bipartisanship in Wisconsin's divided government, and the erosion of trust between the parties.  Other topics included areas of bipartisanship that could still be possible, the national Democratic Party, social media, and the problem of selection bias in where members of the public get their news.

The Thompson Center was thrilled to have the opportunity to sit down with Robin Vos, Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly.  Discussion included an update on what Speaker Vos was up to in the Assembly, his take the state of politics today, what we can do better, and how things are moving forward with divided government in Wisconsin.

The Thompson Center was very pleased to hear from journalist, Supreme Court analyst, and author Joan Biskupic. Discussion centered on her new book "The Chief: The Life and Turbulent Times of Chief Justice John Roberts".  Other topics included the nature of leadership on the court and areas of law the Supreme Court may or may not take up in the near future, notably affirmative action policies.