Shakespeare and the Law 2019 - Belief and the Burden of Proof through the Lens of Six of the Bard's Plays

The Boston Lawyers Chapter, McCarter & English, and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

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The Federalist Society, McCarter & English,
and Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

present

Shakespeare and the Law 2019
Belief and the Burden of Proof through the Lens of Six of the Bard's Plays

On April 29, 2019, The Federalist Society's Boston Lawyers Chapter cosponsored their sixteenth annual Shakespeare and the Law Program with McCarter & English and the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. This year's program took on the themes of belief and the burden of proof through the lens of six of Shakespeare’s plays: Cymbeline, Hamlet, Henry IV, Julius Caesar, Measure for Measure, and Othello.

Following a staged reading of brief scenes from each of the plays, judges, prosecutors, attorneys, activists, and commentators discussed how allegations of impropriety should be measured and judged in the courtroom, the workplace, the college campus, and the congressional hearing room. 

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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:

  • Justice Judith Cowin, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (retired)
  • Samantha Harris, Vice President, Procedural Advocacy for the Foundation for Individual Rights (FIRE)
  • Judge Timothy Hillman, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • Jeff Jacoby, Columnist, Boston Globe
  • Wendy Kaminer, Author, Lawyer and Social Critic
  • Andrew Lelling, U.S. Attorney for the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
  • Joan Lukey, Choate Hall & Stewart LLP
  • Judge George O’Toole, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • Chief Judge Patti Saris, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • Judge F. Dennis Saylor, IV, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • Judge Douglas Woodlock, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
  • Judge Rya Zobel, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts

Moderated by:

  • Jennifer Braceras, Senior Fellow, Independent Women’s Forum; Former Commissioner of the United States Commission on Civil Rights (2001-2007)
  • Judge Nancy Gertner, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts (Retired)

Directed by:

  • Adam Sanders, Associate Artistic Director, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company

Produced by:

  • Daniel J. Kelly,  Partner, McCarter & English; Chairman, Boston Lawyers Chapter

Introduction by:

  • Steven Maler, Founding Artistic Director, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company