The Drake Constitutional Law Center is once again hosting its annual Constitutional Law Symposium on Saturday, April 9, 8 a.m.-noon, Cartwright Hall, Room 213.
The Constitutional Law Symposium invites scholars, judges, and lawyers from across the country to discuss a constitutional theme. This year’s topic is “War Powers and the Constitution: 15 Years After 9/11.”
The tragic events of 9/11 led the United States to fight two wars in the names of counter-terrorism and democracy—one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.
Now the United States and others are fighting ISIS, a group that seeks to establish a Muslim caliphate. The United States is also supporting certain rebel forces in Syria against President Bashar al-Assad and relying on Kurdish help. Russia, Turkey, and other NATO countries are also involved.
The 2016 Constitutional Law Symposium will address the complicated constitutional role played by the United States in fighting and assisting in these wars, as well as the broader constitutional issues of war powers after 9/11.
At the symposium, Ben Ullem, dean of Drake Law School, and Robert E. Josten of Dorsey & Whitney will give introductions. Mark Kende, the James Madison Chair in Constitutional Law and director of the Drake Constitutional Law Center, and Miguel Schor, professor at Drake Law School, will serve as moderators.
The event will feature the following presentations:
- “Security vs. Liberty or Democracy and Security? The Constitutional Politics of the 9/11 War” – Stephen Griffin, the W.R. Irby Chair and Rutledge C. Clement, Jr. Professor in Constitutional Law, Tulane Law School
- “Obama’s Wars: The Case of Libya and Syria” – Saikrishna Prakash, the James Monroe Distinguished Professor of Law and Horace W. Goldsmith Research Professor, University of Virginia School of Law
- “War Powers in a Global Order” – Mariah Zeisberg, associate professor of political science, University of Michigan
- “Courts at War: The Inconsistent (and Incoherent) Judicial Role After September 11” – Stephen Vladeck, professor of law, American University Washington College of Law
The 2016 Constitutional Law Symposium is sponsored by the Drake Constitutional Law Center and Dorsey & Whitney law firm with support from Congressman Neal Smith.
*This event has been approved for 3 credit hours of Iowa and Federal CLE (#217327).
Register online by April 5 to attend the symposium.
The Drake Constitutional Law Center is one of only four constitutional law programs established by the U.S. Congress and funded by the federal government. The Center’s mission is to foster study of the U.S. Constitution and its roots, formation, principles, and development.