Conference Announcement: DECENTRALIZED RIGHTS: STATE-LEVEL STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE JUSTICE AND EQUALITY

             ANNOUNCING A BROOKLYN LAW SCHOOL SYMPOSIUM

                       DECENTRALIZING RIGHTS:
       STATE-LEVEL STRATEGIES TO PROMOTE JUSTICE AND EQUALITY

                      Friday, March 28, 2008
                        9:00 am - 4:30 pm

                RSVP: http://www.brooklaw.edu/rsvp


     OVERVIEW:

     In the mid-20th century, the Warren Court revolutionized
     constitutional law by nationalizing norms of rights and
     equality. From Brown v. Board of Education to Miranda v.
     Arizona to Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court invited
     those seeking to promote rights and equality to litigate in
     the federal courts. But, following changes in the
     composition of the Court in later decades, the tide has
     turned.

     The Roberts Court has shown a willingness to water down or
     eliminate rights in some areas and seems likely to continue
     the trend of lowering the federal constitutional floor.
     Litigators who explore the alternative of going to the
     states confront the expense of litigating issues fifty
     times instead of one, among other challenges.

     This symposium will assess how organizations whose mission
     is to promote rights and equality have responded to these
     challenges. It will compare the strategies that have led to
     success or failure in different areas, such as the death
     penalty, reproductive freedom, LGBT rights, eminent domain,
     and school equity, and will consider how well national and
     local organizations have adapted to decentralization.

     The Edward V. Sparer Public Interest Law Fellowship Program
     is the sponsor of the symposium. Established in 1985, the
     program inspires Brooklyn Law School students to work for
     justice and provide legal services to underrepresented
     constituencies, and also fosters a strong public interest
     community at Brooklyn Law School. Directed by Professor
     Elizabeth M. Schneider, Rose L. Hoffer Professor of Law,
     the program provides Sparer Fellows with paid summer
     internships, and sponsors programs and symposia on public
     interest law.


     REGISTRATION:

     CLE Credit is available. Register online at:

                 http://www.brooklaw.edu/rsvp


     PARTICIPANTS:

     - Ursula Bentele, Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law School
     - Dana Berliner, Senior Attorney, Institute for Justice
     - David S. Buckel, Marriage Project Director, Lambda Legal
       Defense and Education Fund
     - Erwin Chemerinsky, Alston & Bird Professor of Law and
       Professor of Political Science, Duke Law School
     - Ronald Chen, Public Advocate for the State of New Jersey
     - John D. Echeverria, Executive Director, Georgetown
       Environmental Law & Policy Institute, Georgetown
       University Law Center
     - Deborah Goldberg, Democracy Program Director, Brennan
       Center for Justice, New York University School of Law
     - Sondra Goldschein, State Strategies Attorney, American
       Civil Liberties Union Reproductive Freedom Project and
       South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families
     - Susan N. Herman, Centennial Professor of Law, Brooklyn
       Law School
     - Nan D. Hunter, Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law School
     - George H. Kendall, Senior Counsel, Holland & Knight LLP
     - Jason Mazzone, Associate Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law
       School
     - Burt Neuborne, Inez Milholland Professor of Civil
       Liberties, Legal Director, Brennan Center for Justice,
       New York University School of Law
     - Dennis D. Parker, Director, American Civil Liberties
       Union Racial Justice Program
     - Michael A. Rebell, Executive Director and Counsel,
       Campaign for Educational Equality,Teachers College,
       Columbia University
     - David Reiss, Associate Professor of Law, Brooklyn Law
       School
     - Reva Siegel, Deputy Dean and Nicholas deB. Katzenbach
       Professor of Law, Yale Law School
     - Diann Rust-Tierney, Executive Director, National
       Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty
     - Deborah A. Widiss, Visiting Assistant Professor of Law,
       Brooklyn Law School, Former Senior Staff Attorney, Legal
       Momentum


     AGENDA IN BRIEF:

     Registration:  8:30 a.m

     Luncheon and Remarks:  Noon

     Reception:  4:30 pm
Posted 2/15/08