The American Bar Association will celebrate Law Day in Washington, D.C., with programs on Tuesday, May 1, exploring separation of powers and whether it provides the balance today that was set forth by the Founding Fathers.
"Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom," is the theme of this year's national recognition of the importance of the rule of law, and will be the subject of two public events on May 1:
The 16th Annual Leon Jaworski Public Program, which will be a debate on the following resolution: Separation of Powers is "Essential to the Preservation of Liberty."
The Student Dialogue program for high school students.
"At the American Bar Association, one of our most important jobs is ensuring that all citizens understand the rule of law that forms the foundation for our democracy," ABA President Hilarie Bass said. "The Law Day theme challenges us to reflect on the important reasons for three separate but equal branches of government. Let us take this opportunity to consider how and why power is shared in our government and ways we can work together to preserve our liberties and advance our rights."
Details of the full-day program are as follows:
Tuesday, May 1
-Student Dialogue Program on Separation of Powers - Nearly 100 high school students from around the nation will gather at the U.S. Navy Memorial, Naval Heritage Center Auditorium to discuss topical issues related to separation of powers. This is an interactive event. Students will tweet live from the program by using the National Law Day 2018 events hashtags, #ABALawDay.
This event is sponsored by the ABA Division for Public Education in partnership with the Close Up Foundation, a nonprofit organization that educates and inspires young people to become informed and engaged citizens. Featured speakers: ABA President Hilarie Bass; Ruthe Catolico Ashley, chair, Standing Committee on Public Education; Bob Carlson, ABA president-elect; and Jacqueline Becerra, chair of National Law Day.
- The Leon Jaworski Public Program - Panelists will engage in a debate for and against the following resolution: Separation of powers is "essential to the preservation of liberty." They will consider separation of powers as an ideal and as a practice, debating and discussing its meaning, its purpose, and its relevance for twenty-first century governance. Time will be reserved for questions.
This event at the National Press Club is sponsored by the ABA Division for Public Education and is open to the public. ABA President Bass will preside.
Moderator: The moderator is Stephen Wermiel, professor of Practice of Law, American University Washington College of Law.
Panelists are:
Speaking for the resolution: Mickey Edwards, vice president, The Aspen Institute and Former U.S. Representative (Oklahoma); and Victoria Nourse, professor of Law and director, Center on National Security and the Law, Georgetown University Law Center.
Speaking against the resolution: Edward L. Rubin, University Professor of Law and Political Science and former dean, Vanderbilt University Law School; and Laura Donohue, professor of Law and director, Center on National Security and the Law, Georgetown University Law Center.
Published: Thu, Apr 26, 2018
