President, Americas and Global Chief Legal Officer, Merkle Science
Mary Beth Buchanan is currently President, Americas and Global Chief Legal Officer at Merkle Science. She was former General Counsel for Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange. She was a partner at Bryan Cave LLP in the firm’s White Collar Defense and Investigations and Securities Litigation and Enforcement Client Service Groups. She concentrated her practice on white collar criminal defense, SEC and FINRA enforcement matters, corporate and accounting fraud, internal investigations, corporate compliance, foreign corrupt practices violations, Congressional investigations and complex civil litigation.
Ms. Buchanan served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania from September 2001 to November 2009, having been appointed by President George W. Bush. She is the only woman in Pennsylvania's history to be presidentially appointed to this position. As the United States Attorney, Ms. Buchanan oversaw the prosecution of more than 5,000 cases, including corporate and securities fraud, bank fraud, foreign corrupt practices, false claims, money laundering, health care fraud, public corruption and a broad range of violent crimes. Prior to that time, Ms. Buchanan spent more than 13 years as an Assistant United States Attorney litigating criminal, civil and appellate cases.
During her tenure as the United States Attorney, Ms. Buchanan also held several posts at the DOJ, including serving as the director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, acting director of the DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women and chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee. Ms. Buchanan also served on the U.S. Sentencing Commission's Organizational Guidelines Advisory Committee, which made recommendations to the Commission for amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines for Business Organizations.
Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations; Former Governor of South Carolina; Author, With All Due Respect: Defending America with Grit and Grace
Nikki Haley is the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration. She is the 29th person to serve in the position.
President Donald Trump asked Haley to serve in the position on November 23, 2016. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 24, 2017 and served until December 2018.
Haley previously served as the 116th governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017. From 2005 to 2010, Haley served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 87, Lexington County.
Associate, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Brooke Cook is a member of the firm’s Commercial Disputes and Investigations, Financial Regulation, and White Collar Practice Groups. She serves as counsel in a variety of complex commercial litigation matters in both state and federal court, including business litigation, commercial contract disputes, real estate litigation, and employment litigation. Her practice also includes representing both individuals and large companies in government enforcement actions and investigations. Ms. Cook also maintains an active pro bono practice.
Ms. Cook was a summer associate in Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s New York office in 2016. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Cook was a judicial intern to the Honorable Norman K. Moon of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia and an extern for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California in the criminal division. During law school, Ms. Cook served as a Dillard Fellow for the Legal Research and Writing program at the University of Virginia School of Law where she assisted first year law students with drafting legal memoranda and appellate briefs and judged an appellate oral argument competition. She was also the assistant managing editor for the Journal of Law & Politics.
Before law school, Ms. Cook worked in public policy in Washington, D.C.
Professor of Law, Belmont University College of Law
Prior to joining Belmont University College of Law, Amy Moore taught at Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law as an Assistant Professor. She taught classes in Administrative Law, Criminal Law, Education Law, Immigration Law, and International Law. She was also active in the moot court program, including coaching the National Moot Court Competition Team and the National Appellate Advocacy Competition teams.
Before teaching law school, Professor Moore worked as a litigation associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago, Illinois. While at Kirkland, she practiced in securities fraud and credit card privacy cases. She is a member of both the Missouri and Illinois bar associations. She is also a member of the American Bar Association.
Professor Moore received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Harding University and received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School. While at the University of Chicago, Professor Moore worked as a research assistant for Professor Lisa Bernstein and Judge Richard Posner. During her last year of law school, she was active in the appellate advocacy clinic and represented a client before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
For Belmont’s charter year, Professor Moore will teach Torts and Civil Procedure. Her research interests include the study of how process affects rights in varied areas.
President, Americas and Global Chief Legal Officer, Merkle Science
Mary Beth Buchanan is currently President, Americas and Global Chief Legal Officer at Merkle Science. She was former General Counsel for Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange. She was a partner at Bryan Cave LLP in the firm’s White Collar Defense and Investigations and Securities Litigation and Enforcement Client Service Groups. She concentrated her practice on white collar criminal defense, SEC and FINRA enforcement matters, corporate and accounting fraud, internal investigations, corporate compliance, foreign corrupt practices violations, Congressional investigations and complex civil litigation.
Ms. Buchanan served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania from September 2001 to November 2009, having been appointed by President George W. Bush. She is the only woman in Pennsylvania's history to be presidentially appointed to this position. As the United States Attorney, Ms. Buchanan oversaw the prosecution of more than 5,000 cases, including corporate and securities fraud, bank fraud, foreign corrupt practices, false claims, money laundering, health care fraud, public corruption and a broad range of violent crimes. Prior to that time, Ms. Buchanan spent more than 13 years as an Assistant United States Attorney litigating criminal, civil and appellate cases.
During her tenure as the United States Attorney, Ms. Buchanan also held several posts at the DOJ, including serving as the director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, acting director of the DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women and chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee. Ms. Buchanan also served on the U.S. Sentencing Commission's Organizational Guidelines Advisory Committee, which made recommendations to the Commission for amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines for Business Organizations.
Associate, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Brooke Cook is a member of the firm’s Commercial Disputes and Investigations, Financial Regulation, and White Collar Practice Groups. She serves as counsel in a variety of complex commercial litigation matters in both state and federal court, including business litigation, commercial contract disputes, real estate litigation, and employment litigation. Her practice also includes representing both individuals and large companies in government enforcement actions and investigations. Ms. Cook also maintains an active pro bono practice.
Ms. Cook was a summer associate in Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s New York office in 2016. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Cook was a judicial intern to the Honorable Norman K. Moon of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia and an extern for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California in the criminal division. During law school, Ms. Cook served as a Dillard Fellow for the Legal Research and Writing program at the University of Virginia School of Law where she assisted first year law students with drafting legal memoranda and appellate briefs and judged an appellate oral argument competition. She was also the assistant managing editor for the Journal of Law & Politics.
Before law school, Ms. Cook worked in public policy in Washington, D.C.
Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations; Former Governor of South Carolina; Author, With All Due Respect: Defending America with Grit and Grace
Nikki Haley is the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration. She is the 29th person to serve in the position.
President Donald Trump asked Haley to serve in the position on November 23, 2016. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 24, 2017 and served until December 2018.
Haley previously served as the 116th governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017. From 2005 to 2010, Haley served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 87, Lexington County.
President, Americas and Global Chief Legal Officer, Merkle Science
Mary Beth Buchanan is currently President, Americas and Global Chief Legal Officer at Merkle Science. She was former General Counsel for Kraken Cryptocurrency Exchange. She was a partner at Bryan Cave LLP in the firm’s White Collar Defense and Investigations and Securities Litigation and Enforcement Client Service Groups. She concentrated her practice on white collar criminal defense, SEC and FINRA enforcement matters, corporate and accounting fraud, internal investigations, corporate compliance, foreign corrupt practices violations, Congressional investigations and complex civil litigation.
Ms. Buchanan served as the United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania from September 2001 to November 2009, having been appointed by President George W. Bush. She is the only woman in Pennsylvania's history to be presidentially appointed to this position. As the United States Attorney, Ms. Buchanan oversaw the prosecution of more than 5,000 cases, including corporate and securities fraud, bank fraud, foreign corrupt practices, false claims, money laundering, health care fraud, public corruption and a broad range of violent crimes. Prior to that time, Ms. Buchanan spent more than 13 years as an Assistant United States Attorney litigating criminal, civil and appellate cases.
During her tenure as the United States Attorney, Ms. Buchanan also held several posts at the DOJ, including serving as the director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, acting director of the DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women and chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee. Ms. Buchanan also served on the U.S. Sentencing Commission's Organizational Guidelines Advisory Committee, which made recommendations to the Commission for amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines for Business Organizations.
Associate, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Brooke Cook is a member of the firm’s Commercial Disputes and Investigations, Financial Regulation, and White Collar Practice Groups. She serves as counsel in a variety of complex commercial litigation matters in both state and federal court, including business litigation, commercial contract disputes, real estate litigation, and employment litigation. Her practice also includes representing both individuals and large companies in government enforcement actions and investigations. Ms. Cook also maintains an active pro bono practice.
Ms. Cook was a summer associate in Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s New York office in 2016. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Cook was a judicial intern to the Honorable Norman K. Moon of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia and an extern for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California in the criminal division. During law school, Ms. Cook served as a Dillard Fellow for the Legal Research and Writing program at the University of Virginia School of Law where she assisted first year law students with drafting legal memoranda and appellate briefs and judged an appellate oral argument competition. She was also the assistant managing editor for the Journal of Law & Politics.
Before law school, Ms. Cook worked in public policy in Washington, D.C.
Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations; Former Governor of South Carolina; Author, With All Due Respect: Defending America with Grit and Grace
Nikki Haley is the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations in the Trump administration. She is the 29th person to serve in the position.
President Donald Trump asked Haley to serve in the position on November 23, 2016. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 24, 2017 and served until December 2018.
Haley previously served as the 116th governor of South Carolina from 2011 to 2017. From 2005 to 2010, Haley served in the South Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 87, Lexington County.
Professor of Law, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
Margaret Ryznar is an Associate Professor of Law at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. She teaches and researches in the areas of family law, tax, trusts & estates, property, and juvenile law. Her scholarship focuses on the rights of family members under federal and state law, with particular emphasis on how family members hold and transfer property among themselves. Professor Ryznar edits the Family Law Prof Blog and has published over twenty law journal articles. Her work has been featured in the media and cited in law journals and judicial materials.
Prior to joining the faculty in 2012, Professor Ryznar served as a law clerk to the Honorable Myron H. Bright of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and practiced law with Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP in Washington, DC.
Professor Ryznar is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School, where she served as a Note Editor of the Notre Dame Law Review, competed in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court, and received the Bainbridge Fellowship for the Study of International and Comparative Law. She holds a master’s degree in European Studies from Jagiellonian University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago with majors in Economics; English Language & Literature; Political Science; and Law, Letters, & Society.
Chairman & CEO, The Abraham Group
Secretary Spencer Abraham is Chairman & CEO of The Abraham Group.
He served as the tenth Secretary of Energy of United States from 2001-2005. He helped President George W. Bush devise America’s first national energy plan in over a decade and oversaw its implementation. As part of this plan, he led efforts to broaden America’s international energy partnerships as well as forge closer ties to key oil producing nations.
Secretary Abraham has been a close observer of world energy markets, and under his leadership the Department of Energy conducted a number of important short and long-term studies of world oil, gas, electricity and other markets.
According to the Presidential Management Agenda scorecard, the Department of Energy went from “worst to first” of well-run agencies under Secretary Abraham’s leadership.
Prior to being a Cabinet Member, Secretary Abraham served as an effective and highly productive U.S. Senator from Michigan for six years. In the Senate, he was a member of the Senate Commerce, Judiciary and Budget Committees and served as chairman of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee and the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing and Competitiveness. He was also a senior official in the Administration of former President George H.W. Bush as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President.
Secretary Abraham is a member of the Board of Directors of Occidental Petroleum, NRG Energy, PBF Energy, Uranium Energy Corp and Two Harbors Investment Corporation.
In addition, he is a frequent commentator on FOX News, CNN and Bloomberg TV as well as a periodic contributor of op-ed articles to the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Weekly Standard and other publications.
Spencer Abraham and his wife, Jane, are the parents of adult children. He holds a law degree from Harvard University, where he co-founded the Federalist Society, and is a native of East Lansing, Michigan.
Former United States Senator, Utah
Over nearly four decades of public service, Senator Orrin Hatch established himself as a leading conservative voice in the United States Senate. As the upper chamber’s most senior Republican, he served as President Pro Tempore and as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. In this capacity, he fought to create jobs and strengthen the economy by repealing and replacing Obamacare, reforming the tax code, and opening up overseas markets to American exports.
As a long-time member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Hatch also fought to check judicial activism and protect our liberties. He was instrumental in confirming conservative judges to the federal bench and played an indispensable role in confirming Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito as well as scores of district and circuit court judges.
One of Senator Hatch’s particularly noteworthy achievements on the Judiciary Committee is the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993—a bill he co-authored with the late Senator Ted Kennedy. This landmark legislation prohibits substantial government burdens on the free exercise of religion, allowing all Americans to live, work, and worship in accordance with their beliefs.
In addition to protecting our individual liberties, Senator Hatch was on the front lines of legislative battles to protect our free-market economy and system of limited government under the Constitution. His reputation as a statesman and his record of fiscal responsibility earned him the nickname “Mr. Balanced Budget” from President Reagan.
By virtually all measures, Senator Hatch was among the most effective and consequential legislators in history. Since he first came to Congress in 1977, no legislator alive today has authored more bills that have become law than Senator Hatch.
Of all Senator Hatch’s achievements, he is proudest of his family, and he credits the love of his wife and children as the key to his success. He and Elaine have been married for more than fifty years. Together, they are the parents of six children, twenty-three grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren.
Chairman & CEO, The Abraham Group
Secretary Spencer Abraham is Chairman & CEO of The Abraham Group.
He served as the tenth Secretary of Energy of United States from 2001-2005. He helped President George W. Bush devise America’s first national energy plan in over a decade and oversaw its implementation. As part of this plan, he led efforts to broaden America’s international energy partnerships as well as forge closer ties to key oil producing nations.
Secretary Abraham has been a close observer of world energy markets, and under his leadership the Department of Energy conducted a number of important short and long-term studies of world oil, gas, electricity and other markets.
According to the Presidential Management Agenda scorecard, the Department of Energy went from “worst to first” of well-run agencies under Secretary Abraham’s leadership.
Prior to being a Cabinet Member, Secretary Abraham served as an effective and highly productive U.S. Senator from Michigan for six years. In the Senate, he was a member of the Senate Commerce, Judiciary and Budget Committees and served as chairman of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee and the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing and Competitiveness. He was also a senior official in the Administration of former President George H.W. Bush as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President.
Secretary Abraham is a member of the Board of Directors of Occidental Petroleum, NRG Energy, PBF Energy, Uranium Energy Corp and Two Harbors Investment Corporation.
In addition, he is a frequent commentator on FOX News, CNN and Bloomberg TV as well as a periodic contributor of op-ed articles to the Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Weekly Standard and other publications.
Spencer Abraham and his wife, Jane, are the parents of adult children. He holds a law degree from Harvard University, where he co-founded the Federalist Society, and is a native of East Lansing, Michigan.
Former United States Senator, Utah
Over nearly four decades of public service, Senator Orrin Hatch established himself as a leading conservative voice in the United States Senate. As the upper chamber’s most senior Republican, he served as President Pro Tempore and as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. In this capacity, he fought to create jobs and strengthen the economy by repealing and replacing Obamacare, reforming the tax code, and opening up overseas markets to American exports.
As a long-time member and former Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Hatch also fought to check judicial activism and protect our liberties. He was instrumental in confirming conservative judges to the federal bench and played an indispensable role in confirming Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito as well as scores of district and circuit court judges.
One of Senator Hatch’s particularly noteworthy achievements on the Judiciary Committee is the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993—a bill he co-authored with the late Senator Ted Kennedy. This landmark legislation prohibits substantial government burdens on the free exercise of religion, allowing all Americans to live, work, and worship in accordance with their beliefs.
In addition to protecting our individual liberties, Senator Hatch was on the front lines of legislative battles to protect our free-market economy and system of limited government under the Constitution. His reputation as a statesman and his record of fiscal responsibility earned him the nickname “Mr. Balanced Budget” from President Reagan.
By virtually all measures, Senator Hatch was among the most effective and consequential legislators in history. Since he first came to Congress in 1977, no legislator alive today has authored more bills that have become law than Senator Hatch.
Of all Senator Hatch’s achievements, he is proudest of his family, and he credits the love of his wife and children as the key to his success. He and Elaine have been married for more than fifty years. Together, they are the parents of six children, twenty-three grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren.
Partner, Barr & Klein PLLC
Steve Klein, a partner at Barr & Klein PLLC, is an experienced free speech attorney who has successfully fought for the First Amendment rights of his clients against local, state and federal regulators. As a lobbyist, Steve’s advocacy has led to the successful amendment of state laws to respect political engagement and prevented the enactment of laws that burden it. Steve has published articles in several legal journals, and his commentary has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, The Detroit News, and other outlets. Steve earned a bachelors degree in politics at Hillsdale College and a law degree from Ave Maria School of Law, where he served as Managing Editor of the Ave Maria Law Review. He is licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia, Illinois and Michigan.
Immigrating to the United States is a Privilege, not an Entitlement
California-Davis Student Chapter
Davis, CABarton v. Barr Post Argument SCOTUScast
Amy Moore
On Nov. 4, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court heard argument in Barton v. Barr, a...
A Discussion with Hon. Nikki Haley
Mary Beth Buchanan, Brooke Cook Wilson, Nikki R. Haley
On January 16, 2020, the Federalist Society's New York City Lawyers and Young Lawyers Chapters...
A Discussion with Hon. Nikki Haley
Mary Beth Buchanan, Brooke Cook Wilson, Nikki R. Haley
On January 16, 2020, the Federalist Society's New York City Lawyers and Young Lawyers Chapters...
Monasky v. Taglieri - Post-Argument SCOTUScast
Margaret Ryznar
On Dec. 11, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court heard argument in Monasky v. Taglieri, a...
The Hong Kong Protests and U.S.-China Strategic Competition
San Diego Student Chapter
San Diego, CAA Discussion with Hon. Nikki Haley
New York City Lawyers Chapter and New York City Young Lawyers Chapter
New York, NYOpening Remarks and Keynote Address by Senator Orrin Hatch [Archive Collection]
E. Spencer Abraham, Orrin Hatch
On September 13-14, 1991, the Federalist Society held its Fifth Annual National Lawyers Convention on...
Opening Remarks and Keynote Address by Senator Orrin Hatch [Archive Collection]
E. Spencer Abraham, Orrin Hatch
On September 13-14, 1991, the Federalist Society held its Fifth Annual National Lawyers Convention on...
Courthouse Steps Oral Argument: Wire and Federal Program Fraud: A ‘Bridgegate’ Too Far?
Stephen R. Klein
Bridget Anne Kelly and William Baroni were convicted of wire fraud, federal program fraud and...