FedSoc Events

On April 5, 2019, the Federalist Society's Ohio lawyers chapters hosted the 2019 Ohio Chapters Conference in Columbus, OH. The third and final panel explored "Emerging Religious Liberty Issues in Ohio". Intensifying public debates over religious liberty have spilled into the courts, with some cases making their way to the United States Supreme Court. Ohio is no stranger to this national trend. Pan...

On April 5, 2019, the Federalist Society's Ohio lawyers chapters hosted the 2019 Ohio Chapters Conference in Columbus, OH. The second panel covered "The Future of Administrative Deference". More and more judges, advocates, and scholars are calling on the courts to reexamine the deference paid to administrative agencies’ legal interpretations. This debate has attracted the most attention at t...

On April 5, 2019, the Federalist Society's Ohio lawyers chapters hosted the 2019 Ohio Chapters Conference in Columbus, OH. United States Solicitor General Noel Francisco offered a keynote presentation regarding the "proliferation of nationwide injunctions". Hon. Noel Francisco, United States Solicitor General, United States Department of Justice * * * * * As always, the Federalist Society takes no...

On April 5, 2019, the Federalist Society's Ohio lawyers chapters hosted the 2019 Ohio Chapters Conference in Columbus, OH. The first panel of the conference discussed "The Law and Policy of Redistricting Reform". The Supreme Court will hear argument this term in cases presenting the question whether courts may strike down “partisan gerrymanders.” This presents a number of questions. So...

On April 5, 2019, the Federalist Society's Ohio lawyers chapters hosted the 2019 Ohio Chapters Conference in Columbus, OH. The second address of the conference came from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Hon. Dave Yost, Attorney General, State of Ohio Introduction: Matthew Byrne, Jackson Lewis PC * * * * * As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issu...

On April 5, 2019, the Federalist Society's Ohio lawyers chapters hosted the 2019 Ohio Chapters Conference in Columbus, OH. The conference opened with an address by Judge Alice Batchelder. Hon. Alice Batchelder, United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit Introduction: Robert Alt, The Buckeye Institute * * * * * As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public pol...

On March 15-16, 2019, the Federalist Society's student chapter at the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law hosted the 2019 National Student Symposium. The roundtable discussion covered "Federalism's Contribution to Economic Liberty: Catalyzing Technological Advancement and Economic Growth". Does the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee economic liberty? If not, what role might states play in advancing...

On March 15-16, 2019, the Federalist Society's student chapter at the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law hosted the 2019 National Student Symposium. The fourth panel discussed "Blockchain-Backed Cryptocurrencies: Order Without Law in the Digital Age". In the wake of skyrocketing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency prices, the SEC has argued that cryptocurrencies should be regulated as securities....

On March 15-16, 2019, the Federalist Society's student chapter at the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law hosted the 2019 National Student Symposium. The third panel explored "Economic Liberty in Criminal Justice: Business Crimes and Economic Sanctions". Although criminal justice is often associated with non-economic issues—such as those raised by violent crimes and long prison sentences&...

On March 15-16, 2019, the Federalist Society's student chapter at the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law hosted the 2019 National Student Symposium. The second panel asked "Is Economic Protectionism a Legitimate State Interest?". The Tenth Circuit held in Powers v. Harris that “intra-state economic protectionism, absent a violation of a specific federal statutory or constitutional provis...

On March 15-16, 2019, the Federalist Society's student chapter at the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law hosted the 2019 National Student Symposium. The first panel discussed "The Original Understanding of 'Privileges of Immunities'". Scholars contest the original meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment. In 1873, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge to state economic regulations under the Privil...

On March 15-16, 2019, the Federalist Society's student chapter at the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law hosted the 2019 National Student Symposium. The symposium opened with a keynote lecture by Prof. Richard Epstein on "Is Lochner v. New York Constitutionally Indefensible?" KEYNOTE TOPIC: Is Lochner v. New York Constitutionally Indefensible? Is Lochner v New York constitutionally indefensibl...

The law enforcement landscape is ever-changing, with modern issues such as the challenges associated with electronically stored information, encryption, cyber warfare, fentanyl, and election disinformation campaigns requiring new solutions. Even preceding issues regarding border security, criminal immigration enforcement, firearms trafficking, and organized crime present new challenges for law enf...

On March 6, 2019, the Federalist Society's Telecommunications & Electronic Media and Corporations, Securities, & Antitrust Practice Groups hosted a fireside chat with FTC Commissioner Christine Wilson and Svetlana Gans of NCTA at the offices of Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP in Washington, DC. Featuring: Commissioner Christine Wilson, Federal Trade Commission Moderator: Svetlana Gans, Vice P...

On February 6, 2019, the Federalist Society's Article I Initiative and the Georgetown Student Chapter co-sponsored the first Legislative Branch Review Conference. Senator Lindsey Graham offered the keynote address. Featuring: Hon. Lindsey Graham, Senator, South Carolina Introduction: Dean A. Reuter, General Counsel | Vice President & Director, Practice Groups, The Federalist Society As always,...

On February 6, 2019, the Federalist Society's Article I Initiative and the Georgetown Student Chapter co-sponsored the first Legislative Branch Review Conference. The second panel speculated on "A World Without Chevron?" Chevron has come under fire as of late, and the confirmation of Justice Kavanaugh has tipped off a new round of speculation as to how the Court might narrow, or even eliminate, th...

On February 6, 2019, the Federalist Society's Article I Initiative and the Georgetown Student Chapter co-sponsored the first Legislative Branch Review Conference. The first panel asked "Can the Other Branches Help Restore Congress?" Madison famously asserted that “ambition must be made to counteract ambition,” but how would he advise the current federal government Branches in support o...

On February 6, 2019, the Federalist Society's Article I Initiative and the Georgetown Student Chapter co-sponsored the first Legislative Branch Review Conference. The third panel discussed "Bipartisanship and High Profile Congressional Oversight." At the outset, the 116th Congress promises many high profile and impactful investigations. However, the last several Congresses have not always maintain...

On February 1-2, 2019, the Federalist Society held its annual Florida Chapters Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The first session discussed "Stare Decisis and Precedent". As always, the Federalist Society takes no particular legal or public policy position. All opinions expressed are those of the speakers. Welcome and Opening Remarks: Michelle Suskauer, President, The Florida Bar Introduct...

On February 1-2, 2019, the Federalist Society held its annual Florida Chapters Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. The Florida Chapters Banquet featured keynote speeches from Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Ashley Moody. As always, the Federalist Society takes no particular legal or public policy positions. All opinions expressed are those of the speakers. Speakers: Introduction: A...

How will the Janus decision affect the ability of unions to wield political power and what impact will the potential loss of some union power have on local and state policies? Will local and state governments look to pass more minimum wage and other worker regulations to compensate for the decreased power of unions? Will more voter referenda (like one recently passed in Missouri) to override right...

On January 26, 2019, the Federalist Society hosted the annual Western Chapters Conference at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA. Former White House Counsel Don McGahn offered the keynote address. Featuring: Don McGahn, Former White House Counsel Introduction: Leonard A. Leo, Executive Vice President, The Federalist Society

When is it appropriate for states and cities to contradict or ignore federal law? Do states really possess "plenary power"? What are the limits of local police powers? With the rise of state marijuana legalization and "sanctuary cities," are we facing a nullification crisis, or are the local governments properly shielding people from Washington's overreach? Does the federal government have a role...

What is the proper role of state attorneys general and the courts in litigation in seeking to nullify federal law? Panelists will discuss the difference in approach between Texas during the Obama administration and other state's efforts during the Trump administration with a particular emphasis on the role of state AGs and the role of the courts in issuing nationwide injunctions. Are nationwide in...

On February 7, 2019, The Federalist Society hosted a panel discussing the role of the bar in selecting Iowa's judges. Tom Levis is the President of the Iowa State Bar Association, and serves as an elected member of the Judicial Election District 5C Judicial Nominating Commission. He is a shareholder at the Brick Gentry law firm in Des Moines and has been an active member and leader of the Polk Cou...