Law Writing to Promote Political Change

Transcription

1 Eighteenth Annual Midwestern People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference From Scholarly Pages to Political Stages: Law Writing to Promote Political Change Thursday, May 29 Sunday, June 1, 2008 The conference theme of the 2008 Midwestern People of Color Scholarship Conference, From Scholarly Pages to Political Stages: Law Writing for Political Change is of particular relevance this year. The front-runner for the Democratic Party s nomination for the U. S. presidency is a former law professor of color from the Midwest, Barack Obama. Hamline University School of Law, this year s host of the Midwestern People of Color Scholarship Conference, is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the site of the 2008 Republican National Convention. Law scholars of color seek to secure both relevance and resonance for their scholarship in the work of other law professionals and in the discussions of the day. The 2008 Midwestern People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference (MWPOC) will explore and evaluate the success of these efforts. Lawyers, jurists, law-trained politicians and media specialists will join conference attendees in plenary panel discussions to explore the ways in which legal scholarship prompts and assists progressive legal, social and political change. These thematic discussions will provide appropriate context and backdrop for the perennial objectives of the Midwestern People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference. Each year, the MWPOC showcases and reviews works-in-progress; facilitates the development of collaborative professional relationships; and promotes the discussion of raging political and social issues of particular concern and the germination of scholarly ideas. The Daily Program Thursday, May 29, 2008 Hamline University School of Law, Atrium 6:30 8:30 p.m. Opening Reception and Keynote Address Appetizers and wine served Welcome & Introduction Keynote Address: Politicization of the Law Professional B. Todd Jones United States Attorney, Minnesota District ( ), partner, Robins, Kaplan, Ciresi & Miller LLP The controversy involving the terminations and forced resignations of U. S. Attorneys highlights the threats and burdens that can beset law professionals whose persons or positions become politicized. Law professors of color and their scholarly efforts have become politicized. Law professor of color Lani Guinier and her scholarship relating to voting rights present just one example of this phenomenon. Attorney B. Todd Jones the former U.S. Attorney- Minnesota District, and partner in one of the more politically active law firms in the region, will provide insight into the havoc wreaked by politicization on the professional ambitions and objectives of law professionals of color. Also, he will offer advice for managing such circumstances.

2 Friday, May 30, 2008 Hamline University School of Law, Room 101 7:30 a.m. Shuttle departs from The Saint Paul Hotel to Hamline University School of Law 7:45 8:45 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:45 9:00 a.m. Welcome Professor Neil Williams, president, MWPOC 9:00 10:45 a.m. First Plenary Session: The Risky Scholar? Pre-Tenure and -Promotion Politically Charged Writing Professor Guy-Uriel E. Charles, Bennett Professor of Law; interim co-dean, University of Minnesota Law School ( ) Professor Allen K. Easley, president and dean, William Mitchell College of Law ( ); associate dean, Washburn University School of Law ( ) Professor Vincene Verdun, Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University Professor Nekima Levy-Pounds, University of St. Thomas School of Law (Saint Paul, MN) The terms academic freedom and free speech can be misnomers. Free expression can be costly. Panelists will evaluate the risks, burdens and benefits of politically charged scholarship. More specifically, panelists will explore the extent of institutional support in the legal academy and possible professional implications for law scholars of color who write about politically charged topics. This panel includes former law deans of color, and senior and junior law faculty of color, who engage in politically charged activities. This discussion is intended to be particularly instructional to junior scholars. 10:45 11:00 a.m. Break 11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Work-in-Progress, Presentation 1 12:00 1:30 p.m. Lunch, Hamline campus, Sorin A/B Luncheon Address: The Role of Legal Scholarship in the Development and implementation of Public Policy Representative Keith Ellison U. S. Congressman, D-Minnesota; Attorney Representative Keith Ellison is the first person of the Muslim faith in the U.S. and the first African American from Minnesota to be elected to the U.S. Congress. His presentation also may address the role of religion in the 2008 presidential election. 1:30 1:45 p.m. Break 1:45 2:45 p.m. Work-in-Progress, Presentation 2 2:45 3:45 p.m. Work-in-Progress, Presentation 3 3:45 4:00 p.m. Break 4:00 5:00 p.m. Work-in-Progress, Presentation 4 5:15 p.m. Shuttle departs from Hamline University School of Law to The Saint Paul Hotel 7:00 9:30 p.m. Dinner 10:00 p.m. Hospitality Suite at The Saint Paul Hotel

3 Saturday, May 31, 2008 Hamline University School of Law, Room 101 7:30 8:00 a.m. Shuttle departs from The Saint Paul Hotel to Hamline University School of Law 7:45 8:45 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast 8:45 9:00 a.m. Welcome and Housekeeping Neil Williams, president, MWPOC 9:00 10:00 a.m. Work-in-Progress, Presentation 5 10:00 10:15 a.m. Break 10:15 11:15 a.m. Work-in-Progress, Presentation 6 11:15 a.m. 12:15 p.m. Work-in-Progress, Presentation 7 12: 15 1:30 p.m. Lunch, Hamline campus, Sorin A/B. Second Plenary Session: Beyond Law Reviews: Identifying and Evaluating Alternative Forums for Law Professors to Promote Political Change Mike Burbach, opinion page editor, Saint Paul Pioneer Press Denise Johnson, Editorial Department, Star Tribune Newspaper Professor Vernellia Randall, University of Dayton, professor of law and blogger Steven Renderos, project coordinator, the Minnesotano Media Empowerment Project, University of Minnesota, Department of Chicano Studies Professor Catherine Squires, the inaugural John and Elizabeth Bates Cowles Professor of Journalism, Diversity, and Equality at the University of Minnesota School of Journalism 1:30 1:45 p.m. Break 1:45 2:45 p.m. Work-in-Progress, Presentation 8 2:45 3:45 p.m. Work-in-Progress, Presentation 9 3:45 4:00 p.m. Break 4:00 5:00 p.m. Work-in-Progress, Presentation 10 5:15 p.m. Shuttle departs from Hamline University School of Law to The Saint Paul Hotel 6:30 8:30 p.m. Rossi s, downtown Minneapolis A Premier Jazz Club Dinner Address: Scholarship and Judicial Opinion Judge Edward Toussaint, Jr. Chief Judge, Minnesota Court of Appeals Sunday, June 1, 2008 Hamline University, Klas Center, Kay Fredricks Room 8:45 a.m. Shuttle departs from The Saint Paul Hotel to Hamline University School of Law 9:00 11:15 a.m. Caribbean Brunch Percolating Thoughts MWPOC Business Meeting and roundtable discussion of scholarly ideas and current issues 11:15 11:30 a.m. Break 11:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Work-in-Progress, Presentation 11 12:45 p.m. Shuttle departs from Hamline University School of Law to The Saint Paul Hotel

4 REGISTRATION AND LOGISTICS (PLEASE SEND THIS PAGE ALONG WITH YOUR PAYMENT) Conference fee: $125 Late registration fee (after May 20th): $150 Name Address City State Zip Business phone Cell phone (opt.) address c Check enclosed payable to Midwestern People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference PRIOR TO MAY 20, send to: Professor Neil Williams Loyola University Chicago School of Law 25 East Pearson Street, Chicago, Illinois AFTER MAY 20: You may pay by check or credit card when you register in person at the conference. Please charge my: c Visa c Mastercard c American Express c Discover Account Number Expiration Date Signature FOR MORE INFORMATION Call Professor Robin K. Magee at rmagee@hamline.edu I am willing to respond to a Work-in-Progress: YES NO My areas of expertise are: Conference materials available on arrival. Conference Hotel: Airport Information: Local Transportation: The Saint Paul Hotel 350 Market Street, St Paul, MN (651) For conference rate identify with the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC). Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (Within 10 miles of both Hamline University and The Saint Paul Hotel) Shuttles and taxis available from airport.

5 GRATITUDE Midwestern People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference Featured Presenters: Mike Burbach, Saint Paul Pioneer Press Professor Guy-Uriel E. Charles, Bennett Professor of Law, University of Minnesota Law School Professor Allen Easley, Professor of Law, William Mitchell College of Law Representative Keith Ellison, United States Congress Denise Johnson, Star Tribune Attorney B. Todd Jones, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, LLP Professor Nekima Levy-Pound, St. Thomas School of Law (Saint Paul, Minnesota) Professor Vernellia Randall, University of Dayton School of Law Professor Catherine Squires, University of Minnesota School of Journalism Judge Edward Toussaint, Minnesota Court of Appeals Professor Vicene Verdun, Ohio State University Moritz College of Law executive committee: President: Neil Williams, Loyola University Chicago School of Law Vice President: Kimberly Norwood, Washington University School of Law Secretary/Treasurer: Steven Ramirez, Loyola University Chicago School of Law Planning Committee: Professor Regina Burch, Program Chair, Capital School of Law Professor Annette Burkeen, University Northern Kentucky School of Law Professor S. David Mitchell, University of Missouri School of Law Professor Tom Romero, Hamline University School of Law Professor Anna Shavers, University of Nebraska School of Law Professor Asmara Tekle Johnson, Thurgood Marshall School of Law Professor Neil Williams, Loyola University Chicago School of Law OnSite and program Coordinator: