Hitting the Ground Running

We're excited about getting the 2011-2012 school year started, and introducing incoming UChicago law students in ACS and its mission. Coming up soon are a welcome barbeque, an introduction to ACS by our favorite Professor Geoff Stone, and our first lunch talk of the year, Professor Aziz Huq on 9/11, 10 Years Later.

The Atlantic recently published a Special Report on this same topic. Of particular interest: an addition to the National Defense Authorization Act, requiring all terror suspects to be put into immediate military custody; and redefining sovereignty under international law in light of the Libyan intervention.

Paul Smith on Litigation Promoting LGBT Rights

2011 has been a busy time for the University of Chicago ACS chapter so far. Events have included a talk by Professor Adam Cox on redistricting and the 2010 Census, which touched on this provocative paper (coauthored with Richard Holden of the Booth School and forthcoming in the University of Chicago Law Review), and a talk by Professor David Strauss on his new book, The Living Constitution.

Recently, a talk by Jenner & Block DC partner and Supreme Court litigator Paul Smith finally made it to the U of C Student Events podcast. Enjoy this look at the current status of litigation to promote LGBT rights!

Redish, Henderson, and Stone on Citizens United

Where there is controversy, there is debate: ACS recently sponsored a fascinating presentation on Citizens United with two First Amendment scholars, Martin Redish and Geoffrey Stone, and one corporations specialist, M. Todd Henderson. A podcast of the event is available for download here. Professor Stone also addressed Citizens United in this piece for the Huffington Post.

Alison Siegler on Juvenile LWOP

On October 15, University of Chicago's ACS chapter sponsored a lunch talk by Professor Alison Siegler
previewing two upcoming Supreme Court cases—Sullivan v. Florida and Graham v. Florida—that present the question whether life without parole sentences for crimes other than homicide committed by juveniles violate the Eighth Amendment. Her talk, which assesses litigation strategy and the chances that the plaintiffs will prevail, is available via podcast here.

Want more? Another U of C professor, Bernard Harcourt, recently contributed an opinion piece to the Los Angeles Times on the same subject.

Paul Smith - Litigating Same Sex Marriage Podcast!

Click here to listen to a podcast of Paul Smith at the University of Chicago discussing the future of gay marriage litigation.

ACS On The Rise and In The News

With some high-profile appointments in the Obama administration, ACS is being recognized for its growing influence at the national level by the media. Here are a couple recent articles:

Washington Post - Legal Organization May Become Influential Beyond Its Dreams

New York Times - Liberal Legal Group Is Following New Administration's Path to Power

Blog for ACS!

The University of Chicago ACS Chapter invites all members, alumni, students, and other interested parties to contribute to our blog!

• Check back weekly for updates to what we're reading and share your thoughts.
  
• Keep track of our upcoming events and then share your thoughts.
  
• Start a whole new online discussion on the issues that matter most to you.

If you have questions or suggestions, let us know at uofcacs@gmail.com.