On April 11-12, 2014, the Marquette University Law School held a symposium entitled “Judicial Assistants or Junior Judges: the Hiring, Utilization and Influence of Law Clerks.” During the symposium, judicial biographers, journalists, legal scholars, social scientists, and judges discussed a variety of issues related to law clerks – from how law clerks are selected (including issues of racial and academic diversity) and relied upon by biographers and journalists to the various job duties given to law clerks and the related question of law clerk influence. The Marquette Law Review will subsequently publish a symposium edition, containing essays written by many of the participants.
Below is a list of the panels and the panelists. The symposium was open to the public, but pre-registration was required so that we could get an accurate count of attendees. If you have any questions, you may contact Marquette University Law School Professor Chad Oldfather or Washington and Lee Law School Visiting Professor Todd C. Peppers.
Both days were partially recorded. Regrettably so, day one is missing the initial welcome and introduction, and day 2 is missing the beginning. Both videos are available for viewing online.
Thursday, April 10
7:00 Dinner—Jackson’s Blue Ribbon Pub (this will be a very informal dinner for those who can make it; the pub is next door to the hotel)
Friday, April 11
Walk/Cab to Law School
8:30 Breakfast
9:00 Welcome and Introductions
9:15 Panel 1—Utilization and Influence I
Dean Joseph Kearney, Marquette University Law School
Prof. Carolyn Shapiro, Illinois Solicitor General/
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Prof. Artemus Ward, Northern Illinois University &
Kiranjit Gill, Northern Illinois University
10:45 Break
11:00 Utilization and Influence II
Chris Kromphart, University of Alabama
Prof. Stephen Wasby, SUNY-Albany
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Keynote
Justice David Stras, Minnesota Supreme Court
2:00 Utilization and Influence III
Prof. Sara Benesh, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee &
Zach Wallander, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Prof. Ryan Black, Michigan State University &
Prof. Christina Boyd, University of Georgia
Prof. Albert Yoon, University of Toronto Faculty of Law
3:20 Break
3:30 Selection Practices
Prof. Larry Baum, The Ohio State University
Prof. Erin Kaheny, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee &
Prof. John Szmer, University of North Carolina-Charlotte
David Lat, Above the Law
Tony Mauro, National Law Journal
Prof. Aaron Nielson, BYU School of Law
5:00 Conclude—Walk/Cab to Hotel
6:15 Shuttle from Hotel to Wisconsin Club
6:30 Reception—Wisconsin Club
7:15 Dinner—Wisconsin Club—Shuttle to Hotel at Conclusion
Saturday, April 12
Walk/Cab to Law School
9:00 Breakfast
9:30 Journalists and Biographers
Scott Armstrong, The Brethren
Tony Mauro, National Law Journal
Prof. Stephen Wermiel, American University Washington College of Law
10:50 Break
11:05 Judges
Justice David Stras, Minnesota Supreme Court
Judge Diane Sykes, Seventh Circuit
Judge James A. Wynn, Jr., Fourth Circuit
12:30 Conclude—Box Lunch Provided
Related Events
There are currently no upcoming events.
Please check back soon.