Constitutional Law

The Constitutional Colloquium is part of a thriving public law program at Northwestern University School of Law. Activities include scholarly conferences and speakers at faculty workshops, as well as colloquia on positive political theory, international law, and constitutional law.

In an effort to expand the depth and quality of legal research in Constitutional Law, Northwestern Law has invited leading scholars from across the country to participate in the Spring 2009 Constitutional Law Colloquium Series, which has been organized by Professors John McGinnis and James Pfander.

This year’s colloquium will explore a wide range of topics and methodologies, featuring both the theory and practice of constitutional interpretation. Students and faculty will meet with the visiting scholars to exchange views and comment on working papers. Presenters will receive valuable feedback and suggestions for how to expand or improve their research, and Northwestern Law students and faculty will gain a broader understanding of the relation of constitutional law and theory.

Spring 2009 Constitutional Law Colloquium

January 20
Steven G. Calabresi, George C. Dix Professor of Law, Northwestern University School of Law
“Individual Rights Under State Constitutions when the Fourteenth Amendment Was Ratified in 1868: What Rights Are Deeply Rooted in American History and Tradition?” co-authored with Sarah E. Agudo

February 3
Robert W. Bennett, Nathaniel L. Nathanson Professor of Law, Northwestern University School of Law
“Constitutional Originalism and Living Constitutionalism”

February 17
Adam Samaha, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Chicago Law School
“Randomization in Adjudication”

March 3
David Fontana, Associate Professor of Law, George Washington University Law School
“Government in Opposition”

March 31
John F. Manning, Bruce Bromley Professor of Law, Harvard Law School
"Federalism and the Generality Problem in Constitutional Interpretation"

April 14
Vicki C. Jackson, Carmack Waterhouse Professor of Constitutional Law, Georgetown University Law Center