Seminar on the United States Supreme Court

In recent decades the Supreme Court has played a major part in US public debate. In a polarized political context, both sides have increasingly looked to the Supreme Court for decision on such controversial issues as privacy, freedom of speech, abortion and the death penalty. This, in turn, has given rise to renewed discussions about the role of the Court and its scope of action in relation to the Constitution. At the same time the nomination of new judges has become intensely contested political ground.

The Center for the Study of the Americas at Copenhagen Business School and the Embassy of the United States in Copenhagen are cooperating in organizing this seminar on the Supreme Court and its role in the U.S. political process.

Programme:

13.00 Opening

Niels Bjerre-Poulsen, Director of the Center for the Study of the Americas

HE Ambassador James P. Cain, Embassy of the United States

13.15
,

.

David Savage is a journalist at the
Los Angeles Times specializing in the Supreme Court and in constitutional issues. In his presentation, David Savage will talk about the role of the Court in relation to controversial matters such as affirmative action, religion, abortion and the use of the death penalty.

13.45
,
.

M. Edward Whelan III is the President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Formerly, he was law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and General Councel to the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. Edward Whelan was also a prominent commentator on the last two Supreme Court nominations, John G. Roberts and Samuel Alito. In his presentation, Edward Whelan will discuss the legal and political aspects of the confirmation process.

14.15 Questions and answers

14.30 Coffee

14.50
,
.

Edwin S. Kneedler is a Deputy Solicitor-General in the Office of the Solicitor General, the office in the Department of Justice that represents the United States Government before the Supreme Court. In his presentation Edwin Kneedler will describe the role of the Solicitor General, special aspects of government cases in the Court, and the nature of advocacy before the Court.

15.20
,

.

Professor Robert McKeever is head of the Department of Law, Governance and International Relations at London Metropolitan University. In his presentation, he will talk about the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John G. Roberts, and examine possible developments of the Court under his leadership.

15.50 Panel discussion (Edwin Kneedler, Robert McKeever, Edward Whelan og David Savage)

17.00 End of seminar

NB Paricipation is free but as space is limited,
participants are asked to register at csa.eng@cbs.dk
no later than September 18th.