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1991 National Student Symposium

The Bill of Rights After 200 Years

March 1 — 2, 1991

Many bicentennial conferences on the Bill of Rights will focus on the history or interpretation of specific amendments or clauses. In contrast, the Federalist Society Tenth Annual National Symposium will examine some broader themes, such as:

  • How effective are bills of rights in protecting freedom and civil liberties?
  • The Bill of Rights and governmental structure: republicanism and mediating institutions.
  • Judicial interpretation of the Bill of Rights
  • Should the Bill of Rights fully protect freedoms?

Lectures, panel discussions, and debates on these and other questions will consider the theoretical underpinnings and the track record of the federal Bill of Rights and similar documents. We expect that these discussions will shed new light on many of the current battles over the proper interpretation and implementation of specific amendments.

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6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Panel I: Should the Bill of Rights Fully Protect Fundamental Freedoms? [Archive Collection]

1991 National Student Symposium

Topics: Civil Rights • Constitution • First Amendment • Founding Era & History • Fourth Amendment • Religious Liberty • Second Amendment • Free Speech & Election Law
Yale Law School
127 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

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On March 1-2, 1991, the Federalist Society's Yale Law School student chapter hosted the annual National Student Symposium in New Haven, Connecticut. The topic of the conference was "The Bill of Rights After 200 Years." The conference began with introductory remarks and a panel titled "Should the Bill of Rights Fully Protect Fundamental Freedoms?".

Welcome & Introduction:

  • Introductory Remarks: Prof. Owen M. Fiss, Yale Law School
  • Introductory Remarks: Judge Ralph K. Winter, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit

Featuring:

  • Prof. Bruce Ackerman, Yale Law School
  • Prof. Richard Epstein, University of Chicago Law School
  • Prof. Nadine Strossen, President, American Civil Liberties Union
  • Prof. Robert Ellickson, Yale Law School
  • Moderator: William Barr, Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice

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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.

Speakers

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9:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Panel II: How Effective Are Bills of Rights in Protecting Freedom and Civil Liberties? [Archive Collection]

1991 National Student Symposium

Topics: Civil Rights • Constitution • Federalism • Founding Era & History • Separation of Powers
Yale Law School
127 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

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Event Video

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Description

On March 1-2, 1991, the Federalist Society's Yale Law School student chapter hosted the annual National Student Symposium in New Haven, Connecticut. The topic of the conference was "The Bill of Rights After 200 Years." The second day of the conference began with a panel asking "How Effective Are Bills of Rights in Protecting Freedom and Civil Liberties?".

Featuring:

  • Prof. Thomas Merrill, Northwestern Law School
  • Prof. John Baker, Louisiana State University Law School
  • Judge Frank Easterbrook, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • Prof. Herman Schwartz, American University Washington College of Law
  • Moderator: Theodore Olson, Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher

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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.

Speakers

11:15 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Panel III: The Bill of Rights and Governmental Structure: Republicanism and Mediating Institutions [Archive Collection]

1991 National Student Symposium

Topics: Civil Rights • Constitution • Federalism • First Amendment • Founding Era & History • Fourth Amendment • Second Amendment • Separation of Powers
Yale Law School
127 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Share

Event Video

Listen & Download

Description

On March 1-2, 1991, the Federalist Society's Yale Law School student chapter hosted the annual National Student Symposium in New Haven, Connecticut. The topic of the conference was "The Bill of Rights After 200 Years." The conference's third panel discussed "The Bill of Rights and Governmental Structure."

Featuring:

  • Prof. Akhil Amar, Yale Law School
  • Walter Berns, Professor Emeritus, Georgetown University
  • Prof. Kate Stith, Yale Law School
  • Prof. John Langbein, Yale Law School
  • Moderator: Judge Alex Kozinski, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

*******

As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speakers.

Speakers

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Debate: Should Congress Pass Legislation Overruling the Supreme Court’s Decision in the “Peyote Case,” Which Limits the Scope of the Free Exercise of Religion?

1991 National Student Symposium

Yale Law School
127 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

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3:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Panel IV: Judicial Interpretation of the Bill of Rights

1991 National Student Symposium

Yale Law School
127 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

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