Fifth Annual Western Conference

Online registration is now closed.
There will be limited room for walk-in registrations. 

The Federalist Society 
presents its
Fifth Annual Western Conference:

After the 2010 Election:
What's Next for Campaigns and California?

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
January 29, 2011

For directions, visit The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library web site.

Views and opinions expressed by the Federalist Society are not necessarily shared by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

Featuring:

Keynote Speaker:

 
Hugh Hewitt
Chapman University Law School
and Syndicated Radio Show Host

Registration: 9:45 a.m.  

Current Developments in Election Law and Litigation
10:15 a.m. - 12:00 Noon

There have been  significant developments in election and campaign finance in the past couple of years in the Supreme Court and Congress, as well as numerous state legislatures. Panelists will discuss the SpeechNOW case, the effects of the Citizens United decision and the proposed DISCLOSE legislation, the Arizona Clean Elections Law, and the future of the open primaries system.  Panelists will also analyze how Citizens United affected the 2010 midterm elections, and they will discuss any trends or developments in campaign finance that could affect the electoral system in 2012.

Roundtable Discussion:

• Grant Davis-Denny, Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
• Allison Hayward, Center for Competitive Politics
• Prof. James Huffman, Lewis & Clark Law School
• Prof. Daniel Lowenstein, UCLA Law
• William R. Maurer, Institute for Justice
• Prof. Ronald D. Rotunda, Chapman University School of Law
• Judge Carlos T. Bea, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit (Moderator)

Luncheon

12:15 p.m.  -  2:15 p.m.

• Keynote Speaker: Hugh Hewitt, Chapman University Law School and Syndicated Radio Show Host

California's Pensions System: Can It Be Reformed?
2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

California's new governor will need to address the state's fiscal issues, particularly its system of unfunded government-employee compensation and benefits.  By 2025, some recent studies indicate that California could face over $500 billion in unfunded pension liabilities for its three largest public employee pension systems.  Critics of the current system contend that unless drastic reforms are made, these unfunded liabilities will contribute to the state's inevitable bankruptcy.  However, some dispute these findings, contending that the pension system is healthier than it looks.  Proponents of the current system contend that benefits should not be cut because they are needed to retain a skilled workforce.  What is the truth about California's pension systems? Are reforms needed, and if so, what should they be?  What is the best retirement system for California-a defined benefit plan, a defined contribution plan, or something else?  And was the 1999 retroactive increase in pension benefits constitutional?  A panel of experts will discuss these questions.

• Dr. John C. Eastman, Chapman University School of Law
• Vladimir Kogan, University of California, San Diego
• Jeremy B. Rosen, Horvitz & Levy
• Steven Greenhut, Pacific Research Institute (Discussion Leader)

Closing Reception
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

$30.00 for all Non-Students

California CLE also available for an additional $20.00

Free for Students, but you must pre-register online.

Online registration is now closed.
There will be limited room for walk-in registrations.