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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The Infrastructure Crisis: Are Public-Private Partnerships the Answer?

On Tuesday, April 26, 2011, the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service and the Suffolk Business Law Association hosted a discussion on the infrastructure crisis. The speakers focused on the issue of whether our highways, railroads, and other forms of infrastructure are suffering from a lack of investment. The panel also addressed the question of how to solve the problem amidst the budget crisis facing federal and state governments. The discussion centered around one possible solution, a national infrastructure bank, and included an analysis of Senator Kerry's recently filed BUILD legislation.

The program was moderated by Amanda Mongell, President, Suffolk Business Law Association, Suffolk University Law School. Speakers included Professor Michael Likosky, Senior Fellow, NYU Institute for Public Knowledge; Professor Joseph Giglio, Senior Academic Specialist and Executive Professor of General Management, Northeastern University; and Phineas Baxandall, Federal Tax and Budget Policy Analyst, U.S. PIRG.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Indigent Defense in Massachusetts: Governor's Proposal for the Future

On Thursday, April 14, 2011, the Rappaport Center, in partnership with the Student Bar Association, hosted a lively panel discussion concerning Governor Deval Patrick’s proposal to reform the indigent defense system in Massachusetts. The Governor has indicated that the proposal would save $45 million in FY 2012 and $60 million in succeeding years. If passed the legislation would add nearly 1,000 public defender positions.

The program was moderated by Diane S. Juliar, Clinical Professor of Law. The panel included Jack Cunha, President, Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Partner, Cunha & Holcomb; Bill Haddad, Fiscal Policy Analyst, Executive Office for Administration and Finance; Lisa Hewitt, General Counsel, Committee for Public Counsel Services; Irv Rakhlin, Private Bar Advocate and Attorney, Cunha & Holcomb; and David Sullivan, General Counsel, Executive Office for Administration and Finance.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Women in Politics: Challenges and Trends

On Wednesday, April 6, 2011, the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service welcomed over 160 people to Women in Politics: Challenges and Trends. The event was co-sponsored by the Boston Club, the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, and the Women’s Bar Association.
The program was moderated by Janet Wu, Reporter WCVB-TV, Channel 5. The distinguished panelists featured Professor Leanne Doherty, Simmons College; Former Lt. Governor Kerry Healey, Co-Chair, The Parity Project; Representative Shaunna O’Connell; and Representative Marty Walz.

Panelists addressed several issues regarding the discrepancy between the number of women and men entering the political arena; reasons that prevent women from running for political office; strategies to encourage women to run for higher office; and the impact of the media. Several past, present, and future candidates for elected office were among the attendees, as were many political activists, senior policymakers, academics, students, and business leaders.

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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Book Launch: Conflicts of Interest and the Future of Medicine by Marc A. Rodwin

Conflicts of interest riddle the United States healthcare system, often with devastating consequences for patients and society at large. This program featured a discussion about what Americans can do to learn about the regulation of such conflicts from other countries. Professor Marc Rodwin, Suffolk University School of Law, discussed his new book, Conflicts of Interest and the Future of Medicine (Oxford University Press, 2011) with discussant Professor Sheldon Krimsky, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Tufts University, Co-author of Genetic Justice (Columbia University Press, 2010). The book launch program was moderated by Professor Alasdair Roberts, Rappaport Professor of Law and Public Policy, Suffolk University Law School.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Film Showing: “Cruz Reynoso: Sowing the Seeds of Justice”

“Sowing the Seeds of Justice” paints a portrait of a man who was touched by injustice as a child but then went on to fight discrimination and inequality as a lawyer, judge, and teacher. Documentary filmmaker Abby Ginzberg and former California Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso were in attendance for the screening and discussion.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

A New Path to Probation

"A New Path for Probation” joined several key players in the debate as to who should oversee the Probation Department and how to reform the agency in the aftermath of the Ware Report. The event was hosted by the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service at Suffolk University Law School and co-sponsored by MassINC and the Massachusetts Bar Association.

The event drew a packed crowd of over 175 people including several members of the executive, judicial, and legislative branches. The audience heard from a distinguished panel, moderated by CommonWealth Publisher Greg Torres, and including Robert A. Mulligan, Chief Justice for Administration and Management; Mary Beth Heffernan, Public Safety Secretary; Senator Cynthia Stone Creem, co-chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and a member of the Probation Reform Working Group; and John Larivee, CEO of Community Resources for Justice.

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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Lessons from Campaign Trail

Key political strategists came together to share lessons from the campaign trail and future political trends in Massachusetts. Panel speakers included Sydney Asbury, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of Governor Deval Patrick; Robert Willington, Founder, Swiftcurrent Strategies; Jennifer Nassour, Chair, Massachusetts Republican Party; and John Walsh, Chair, Massachusetts Democratic Party. The panel was moderated by Scott Helman, Reporter and former Political Editor, Boston Globe; and Alison King, Reporter, NECN.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Book Launch: The Subprime Virus: Reckless Credit, Regulatory Failure, and Next Steps by Kathleen C. Engel and Patricia McCoy

Professor Kathleen Engel, Associate Dean for Intellectual Life and Professor of Law, Suffolk University Law School launched her new book, co-authored with Patricia McCoy, Subprime Virus: Reckless Credit, Regulatory Failure, and Next Steps (Oxford University Press, 2011). The discussion was moderated by Professor Alasdair Roberts, Rappaport Professor of Law and Public Policy, Suffolk University Law School and included discussant Howell Jackson, James S. Reid, Jr. Professor of Law, Harvard Law School.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Violence Against the Homeless: A Hate Crime?

A panel of advocates, law enforcement, and academic experts discussed whether state laws should be amended to include homelessness as a hate crime category. The panel was moderated by Deborah Becker, News Anchor, WBUR. Panelists included Robert Haas, Cambridge Police Commissioner; Jack McDevitt, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies, College of Criminal Justice, Northeastern School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; Michael Stoops, Director of Community Organizing, Project Director for You Don't Need a Home to Vote, and National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project, National Coalition for the Homeless, Washington, D.C.; and Steve Wessler, Executive Director, Center for Preventing Hate, Portland, ME. The event was co-sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League of New England.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Budget Battles in a Down Economy: An Assessment of Prosecutor and Defense Lawyer Funding

This program featured an in depth analysis of how prosecutors and defense counsel are funded in Massachusetts. Advocates representing a variety of perspectives from inside and outside the criminal justice system participated in the discussion. The program was moderated by the Honorable John Greaney, former Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Preventative Care – State Officials Seek Employer Input on Federal Health Reform Implementation

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM) teamed up to conduct interactive employer sessions on federal health care reform and its implementation in the commonwealth. Seven programs were offered – from Pittsfield to Cape Cod – with support from many business groups throughout the state. Featured Speakers were Commissioner David Morales, Division of Health Care Finance and Policy and Sandy Reynolds, Executive Vice President, Employer's Resource Group Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM).

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Hearing on Sexual Exploitation Online

The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office held a hearing at Suffolk University Law School to address the role of websites in facilitating human trafficking and the illegal sex trade and its impact on public safety. Experts representing various perspectives on this complex issue were invited to testify. Event co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.

Tuesaday, October 12, 2010

2010 Statewide Political Races Forum – Auditor Debate

Lively debates featured candidates for all the contested statewide constitutional offices, including Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General and Secretary of State. Attendees learned about the candidates' platforms and their positions on a variety of issues currently facing Massachusetts. Debates were moderated by Professor Renée Landers. The third debate featured: Democratic Candidate Suzanne Bump; Republican Candidate Mary Connaughton; and Green-Rainbow Party Candidate Nat Fortune. The series was funded through the generous support of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

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Thursday, October 7, 2010

2010 Statewide Political Races Forum – Treasurer Debate

The second of five lively debates featuring candidates for all contested statewide constitutional offices, including Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General and Secretary of State. The debate featured the following candidates: Democratic Candidate Steve Grossman and Republican Candidate Representative Karyn Polito. The candidates gave opening and closing statements and answered questions in front of a packed audience for 90 minutes.

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The Unfinished Architecture of Europe's Economic Union

Professor Vivien Schmidt joined us for a discussion of her forthcoming commentary in the October 2010 issue of Governance about the euro crisis and the next steps for reform of EU institutions. Vivien A. Schmidt is Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration and Chair of the Center for International Relations, Boston University. In Spring 2010 she was also a visiting research professor at Freie Universität Berlin. The program was co-sponsored by Governance.

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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Access to Government Records in Massachusetts:  Issues and Trends

September 28 is International Right to Know Day. This symposium brought together a wide range of stakeholders to examine how well Massachusetts' public records law is working; how it compares to law in other states and countries; and how ideas about transparency must be adapted to fit a digital age.

The speakers at the program included: Kevin Dunion, Information Commissioner of Scotland; Jon Albano, Partner, Bingham McCutchen, LLP; Judy Zeprun Kalman, Deputy General Counsel, Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General James B. Lampke, Executive Director, City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association; Maggie Mulvihill, Associate Director, New England Center for Investigative Reporting; Rebecca Murray, Staff Attorney, Public Records Division, Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; Alex Abdo, ACLU National Security Project, (New York); Linda Hamel, General Counsel, Information Technology Division, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Sean Moulton, Director, Federal Information Policy, OBM Watch, (Washington DC); John D. Warner, Jr., Archivist, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Lucy Dalglish, Executive Director, Reporters' Committee for Freedom of the Press, (Washington, DC); Robert Freeman, Executive Director, New York Committee on Open Government, (Albany NY). Program was co-sponsored with the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association.

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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

2010 Statewide Political Races Forum – Lieutenant Governor Debate

The first of five lively debates featuring candidates for all contested statewide constitutional offices, including Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney General and Secretary of State. The debate featured the following candidates: Democratic Candidate Lt. Governor Tim Murray; Senate Minority Leader and Republican Candidate, Richard Tisei; Independent Candidate Paul Loscocco; and Green-Rainbow Party Candidate Richard Purcell. All four candidates gave opening and closing statements and answered questions in front of a packed audience for 90 minutes.

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Monday, September 13, 2010

Role of Citizens in Addressing the Nation's Key Challenges

Arianna Huffington and Alan Khazei visited Suffolk Univeristy for a conversation on how uniting as citizens and through service can offer solutions to the growing problems facing America today. The discussion was moderated by Alasdair Roberts, the Rappaport Professor of Law and Public Policy.

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Monday, May 24, 2010

The 2010 Gubernatorial Speaker Series Featuring Governor Deval Patrick

At the 2010 Gubernatorial Speaker Series, all four major Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates – Charlie Baker, Tim Cahill, Christy Mihos (before he withdrew from the race), and Governor Deval Patrick – spoke at a Rappaport Center roundtable. Governor Deval Patrick was the last of the four candidates to address a roundtable of senior policymakers, nonprofit leaders, representatives from the business community, lobbyists, lawyers, faculty, and students.

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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Gramm-Leach-Bliley at Ten: Financial Reform or Fuel for the Crisis?

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, also known as the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, allowed commercial banks, investment banks, and insurance companies to combine under a single institution where the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 had previously prohibited such combinations. Paving the way for the creation of the modern financial services industry, this legislation has been the subject of controversy between those who believe that it created new risks within our financial system and those who believe it was instead a necessary improvement.

Ten years after the passage of the Act, with the economy recovering from the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, a panel of lawyers and economists analyzed the consolidation of the financial services industry and discussed the role played by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act in the current financial. The panelists addressed this legislation and plans for future sustainability, including a discussion of the concept of "Limited Purpose Banking." Panelists included Laurence J. Kotlikoff, Professor of Economics, Boston University; Lawrence J. White, Professor of Economics, New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business; and Arthur E. Wilmarth, Jr., Professor of Law, George Washington University School of Law. The moderator was Kathleen C. Engel, Professor of Law, Suffolk University Law School.  The program was co-sponsored by the Suffolk University Business Law Association and the Suffolk University Law Review.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Uncharted Waters – Translating Transportation Reform into Action Roundtable

This program featured key stakeholders and industry experts, including Jeffrey Mullan (JD '90), Secretary and CEO of MassDOT; Senator Steven Baddour, Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation; Patrick Moynihan, Partner with the McCormack Firm; Stephanie Pollack, Associate Director of Research with the Kitty and Michael Dukakis Center on Urban and Regional Planning at Northeastern University; and Stephen Silveira, Vice-President, ML Strategies. The event was moderated by Professor Alasdair Roberts, the Jerome Lyle Rappaport Chair in Law and Public Policy at Suffolk University Law School.

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Monday, April 26, 2010

Budget Cuts and the Administration of Justice

This program served as a forum for an important discussion regarding the impact of state budget cuts on the ability of the judicial system to administer justice. The distinguished panel included the Honorable Margaret Marshall, Chief Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court; the Honorable Robert Mulligan, Chief Justice of the Administrative Office of the Trial Court; Paul Dacier, General Counsel and Vice President of EMC Corporation; William Leahy, Chief Counsel for the Committee for Public Counsel Services; and John Regan, President of the Boston Bar Association and Partner at WilmerHale. The panel was moderated by Professor Robert Smith of Suffolk University Law School. The program was co-sponsored by the New England Legal Foundation and the Boston Bar Association. 

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Wednesday, April 7, 2010

The 2010 Gubernatorial Speaker Series Featuring Republican Candidate
Christy Mihos

At the 2010 Gubernatorial Speaker Series, all four major Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates – Charlie Baker, Tim Cahill, Christy Mihos (before he withdrew from the race), and Governor Deval Patrick – spoke at a Rappaport Center roundtable. Christy Mihos, a Boston area businessman and political activist, was the third to address the roundtable of senior policymakers, nonprofit leaders, representatives from the business community, lobbyists, lawyers, faculty, and students.

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Tuesday, April 6, 2010

A Story from Burma: Reflections of a Surgeon/Writer

This program featured Ma Thida, currently a Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute. Ms. Thida is a Burmese surgeon and writer. In addition to working at a nonprofit hospital and clinic, she is the editor and publisher of a youth magazine in Yangon and writes commentary for a monthly Burmese literary magazine. Recognized mostly for her short stories, she also writes nonfiction articles. Her works have been translated into Catalan, English, Japanese, and Macedonian. Thida has completed her first novel, The Sunflower, in Burmese, and is currently in the process of editing the novel for publication. At Radcliffe, Thida is also working on a new book about her firsthand experience with Vipassana meditation during the five years and six months she spent in a Burmese prison for her political activities. Thida has received a PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award, a Reebok Human Rights Award, and an honorary award from the American Association of Arts and Sciences while she was in prison. The program was co-sponsored by the Health and Biomedical Concentration and the International Law Concentration at Suffolk University Law School.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals Oral Argument

Suffolk University Law School hosted the United States Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals as it heard oral arguments in the case of United States v. SSgt Michael J. Kane. The sole issue for argument was whether the military judge erred by admitting evidence of uncharged misconduct and allowing trial counsel to refer to the uncharged misconduct during the sentencing argument.

Monday, March 22, 2010

The 2010 Gubernatorial Speaker Series Featuring Independent Candidate
Tim Cahill

At the 2010 Gubernatorial Speaker Series, all four major Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates – Charlie Baker, Tim Cahill, Christy Mihos (before he withdrew from the race), and Governor Deval Patrick – spoke at a Rappaport Center roundtable. Tim Cahill, Massachusetts State Treasurer, was the second to address the roundtable of senior policymakers, nonprofit leaders, representatives from the business community, lobbyists, lawyers, faculty, and students.

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

The Health Care Reform Evolution: A Political, Legal, and Social Discussion

The discussion was presented by The Journal of Health & Biomedical Law at Suffolk University Law School. The speakers included Corrine Parver, Practitioner in Residence and Executive Director, Health Law Project, LL.M. Program on Law and Government, American University Washington College of Law; Renée M. Landers, Professor of Law, Suffolk University Law School; Brian Rosman, Research Director, Health Care for All; and Stephen Meunier, Policy Advisor, Office of Senator John Kerry. The moderator was Roger Donoghue, Co-Founder and Senior Partner of Donoghue Barrett & Singal, P.C. The program was co-sponsored by the Health and Biomedical Law Concentration and Suffolk Healthcare Programs: MHA, MBA/Health, & MPA/Health Policy.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

The 2010 Gubernatorial Speaker Series Featuring Republican Candidate
Charlie Baker

At the 2010 Gubernatorial Speaker Series, all four major Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates – Charlie Baker, Tim Cahill, Christy Mihos (before he withdrew from the race), and Governor Deval Patrick – spoke at a Rappaport Center roundtable. Charlie Baker, CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, was the first to address the roundtable of senior policymakers, nonprofit leaders, representatives from the business community, lobbyists, lawyers, faculty, and students.

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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

"Getting Big Things Done in Government"

William Eggers and John O'Leary discussed their new book "If We Can Put A Man On The Moon: Getting Big Things Done in Government," published by Harvard Business Press in November 2009. Mr. Eggers is the Global Research Director for Deloitte's public-sector practice and Executive Director of its Public Leadership Institute, and a prolific author and columnist. Mr. O'Leary is an expert in business process engineering and has extensive government and private-sector experience in companies including Scudder Kemper Investments, Lycos, and KPMG Peat Marwick. The program was co-sponsored by the Pioneer Institute, the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, and the Public Management Department at Sawyer Business School.

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Thursday, December 3, 2009

More Women at the Power Tables: Essential Change for a a Better Future

This public forum focused on the future of women in leadership positions. Research shows that women make up only 10% of corporate boards and 17% of Congress. With a critical mass of women still missing from the power tables, women lack essential voices for progress.

The speakers that addressed this issue at the program included Linda Tarr-Whelan, Demos Distinguished Senior Fellow, Author of Women Lead the Way: Your Guide to Stepping Up to Leadership and Changing the World; Carol Hardy-Fanta, Director of the Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy, UMass Boston; and Mary Catherine Donovan, President of the National Women Law Students' Association, Suffolk University Law School. The moderator was Brenda Wright, Director of the Democracy Program at Demos. The program was co-sponsored by Demos, the National Women Law Students' Association at SULS, the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at UMass Boston, Women's Bar Association, and Women's Action for New Direction.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Public Governance After the Financial Crisis

This scholarly workshop held at Suffolk University Law School focused on the global economic crisis of 2007-2009 and whether the crisis marks the end of an era of liberalization that began with the election of Reagan and Thatcher. The crisis is likely to have broad implications for our thinking about the institutional arrangements for policy formulation and execution.

The workshop examined the contours of the post-crisis governance agenda. Topics included arrangements for the development of fiscal and monetary policy within national governments; assessments of the effectiveness of supranational mechanisms for policy coordination; changes in method of market regulation and self-regulation by private actors; shifts in predispositions and methods regarding industrial policy; methods of dealing with fiscal consolidation in the wake of stimulus and bailout programs; changes in thinking about the organization of public services in national and sub-national governments; and implications for the governance reform agenda for developing countries. Program participants included John Gieve, former Deputy Governor, Bank of England; Martin Lodge, London School of Economics; Paul Posner, George Mason University; Tim Büthe, Duke University; John Zysman, University of California, Berkeley; Matt Andrews, Harvard Kennedy School; Graham Wilson, Boston University; and David Coen, University College London. The program was co-sponsored by the journal Governance and the School of Public Policy, University College London.

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Thursday, November 12, 2009

A Brown Bag lunch with Kristine Huskey: Human Rights Lawyer for Guantanamo Detainees

Kristine A. Huskey, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law and the former Director of the National Security Clinic at UT Law, discussed her new book, Justice at Guantanamo: One Woman’s Odyssey and Her Crusade for Human Rights, the future of Guantanamo, and the current policy on preventive detention. Professor Huskey began representing Guantanamo detainees in 2002 as one of few lawyers willing to challenge the government soon after 9/11. She worked on the seminal Rasul v. Bush case, in which the Supreme Court ruled in 2004 that the Guantanamo detainees had a right to habeas corpus, and represented Omar Khadr, a young Canadian citizen charged with war crimes. Professor Huskey has represented over fifteen detainees and visited Guantanamo numerous times.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Innovations in Massachusetts Public Education: Charter Schools and Beyond

This panel addressed various issues around charter schools and other innovative educational options in Massachusetts. Among other topics, the panel discussed currently pending legislative proposals filed by Mayor Thomas Menino and Governor Deval Patrick. The keynote speaker was Chris Gabrieli, Co-Founder and Chair, Mass 2020.

The speakers included Kevin Andrews, President, Massachusetts Charter Public School Association; Carol Johnson, Superintendent, Boston Public Schools; Paul Reville, Secretary, Executive Office of Education, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Jim Stergios, Executive Director, Pioneer Institute; Paul Toner, Vice President, Massachusetts Teachers Association; Marty Walz, State Representative, Massachusetts House of Representatives Chair, Joint Committee on Education. The program was moderated by Professor Victoria Dodd of Suffolk University Law School. The program was co-sponsored by the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee.

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Thursday, October 1, 2009

Public Accountability After the Age of Newspapers

This event included a lecture by Paul Starr, Stuart Professor of Communications and Public Affairs, Princeton University, and discussion from Martin Baron, Editor, Boston Globe, and Professor Dan Kennedy, Northeastern University School of Journalism. Paul Starr is the Stuart Professor of Communications and Public Affairs at Princeton University and founding co-editor of The American Prospect. His books include The Creation of the Media: Political Origins of Modern Communications (Basic Books, 2004) and Freedom's Power: The True Force of Liberalism (Basic Books April 2007). His article "Goodbye to the Age of Newspapers (Hello to a New Era of Corruption)" appeared in The New Republic, March 4, 2009. The program was co-sponsored by the Ford Hall Forum.

Friday, June 5, 2009

New Data Security Rules and Best Practices

This program included an overview of recent Massachusetts laws and regulations regarding the collection, use, and proper disposal of personal information to protect consumers from identity theft. The program also featured concurrent sessions targeting issues specific to state and local government in one session and private colleges and universities in the other session.

The speakers included Judy Zeprun Kalman, Deputy General Counsel, Chair, Office of the Attorney General; Michael Ciota, Ciota Starr & Vander Linden, Fitchburg & Worcester, MA; Allison F. Dolan, Program Director, Protecting Personally Identifiable Information, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Linda M. Hamel, General Counsel, Massachusetts Information Tech Division; James Lampke, Executive Director, City Solicitor's and Town Counsel Association; Ieuan Mahony, Holland & Knight LLP, Boston, MA; John P. McLafferty, Day Pitney, LLP, Boston, MA; David A. Murray, General Counsel, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations, Juliana deHaan Rice, Town Counsel, Arlington, MA, and Scott D. Schafer, Division Chief, Consumer Protection Division, Office of the Attorney General. The program was co-sponsored by the Center for Advanced Legal Studies, the City Solicitors and Town Counsel Association, and the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Holly Film Screening and Panel Discussion

This program included an exclusive screening of the film "Holly," a film about the sex slave trade in Cambodia. There was also a panel discussion about human trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable people in the absence of Rule of Law. The program featured world renowned Cambodian activist Somaly Mam, who also hosted a book signing of her latest publication The Road of Lost Innocence. The program was co-sponsored by Suffolk Transnational Law Review and LexisNexis.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Roundtable Discussion – Ethics and Lobbying Reform in Massachusetts: What are the Key Issues?

This roundtable discussion brought together Ben Clements, Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Patrick and Chair of the Governor's Task Force on Public Integrity, and other NGO representatives, academics, and legislators in a conversation about the ethics and lobbying reform legislation pending before the Massachusetts legislature.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Managing the Bailout 

This program detailed and analyzed the federal response to the financial crisis. The panel examined the challenges of policy execution and oversight posed by the Troubled Asset Relief Program approved by Congress in October 2008. Panelists included: Robert F. Hoyt, former General Counsel, United States Department of the Treasury; Professor Cornelius Hurley, Director, Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law, Boston University School of Law; William F. Kroener III, Counsel, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Co-Chair of the ABA Task Force on Financial Markets Regulatory Reform; Thomas McCool, Director, Applied Research and Methods, Government Accountability Office; Damon Silvers, Associate General Counsel, AFL-CIO, Member, EESA Congressional Oversight Panel. The program was moderated by Professor Alasdair Roberts, the Jerome Lyle Rappaport Chair in Law and Public Policy at Suffolk University Law School. The program was held in conjunction with the ABA mid-year meeting in Boston and was co-sponsored by the ABA Sections on Administrative Law and Business Law.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

National Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions 

This forum highlighted the Green Communities Act as part of the National Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions. The program featured a distinguished panel of government, industry, and advocacy organizations and focused on how the new act impacts energy efficiency, renewable energy, green jobs, and the Massachusetts electricity market. Panelists included: Ann Berwick, Undersecretary for Energy, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Barbra Batshalom, LEED AP, Executive Director, Green Roundtable; Nick d'Arbeloff, Executive Director, New England Clean Energy Council; and Kalila Barnett, Senior Organizer, Boston Green Justice Coalition. The program was co-sponsored by the Green Justice Coalition, the Green Roundtable, and Suffolk University Facilities Management.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Roundtable Discussion – Managing the State's Budget: Hard Choices in an Economic Crisis 

This roundtable discussion raised issues relating to the impact of the financial crisis at the state level and how the state should prioritize the allocation of limited budgetary dollars. The discussion was timed to coincide with the release of the Governor's budget and the corresponding legislative review process. Attendees included a broad cross section of policymakers, practitioners, faculty, and students.

Lead participants included: State Senator Steven Panagiotakos, Chairman of Senate Ways and Means Committee; James Stergios, Executive Director, Pioneer Institute; Matt Gorzkowicz, the State's Assistant Secretary for Budget; Noah Berger, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center; Martin Benison, State Comptroller; and James Heintz of the Political Economy Research Institute at UMass Amherst. The discussion was moderated by Professor Alasdair Roberts, the Jerome Lyle Rappaport Chair in Law and Public Policy at Suffolk University Law School.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Health Care Reform – Lessons Learned in Massachusetts 

This all day conference was dedicated to the lessons learned in Massachusetts on health care reform and specific questions around access and affordability. The program included several panels that addressed implementation issues, compliance challenges, the future of health care reform at the national level, and racial and ethnic disparities in the delivery of health care services. The program was co-sponsored by the Center for Advanced Legal Studies, the Health and Biomedical Law Concentration, and Health Law Advocates.

Monday, November 17, 2008

“Very Young Girls” Film Screening and Panel Discussion

This event was intended to raise awareness concerning sexual exploitation of children. The event featured a screening of the film "Very Young Girls" followed by a discussion with Rachel Lloyd, Director of GEMS. The event also included a speaking program with welcoming remarks from former Dean Alfred C. Aman, Jr., and statements from District Attorney Daniel Conley; Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis; the Commonwealth Child Advocate Gail Garinger; and a survivor of childhood sexual exploitation, Audrey Porter. The speaking program was moderated by Joan Wallace Benjamin, the CEO of the Home for Little Wanderers. The program was co-sponsored by the Support to End Exploitation Now (SEEN) Coalition, the Child Advocacy Center, and the Home for Little Wanderers.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Forum on Youth Aging Out of Foster Care

This public forum was one of several similar community events held throughout the Commonwealth to present the findings of the Task Force on Youth Aging Out of the Department of Children and Families (formerly the Department of Social Services) and to engage policymakers, community advocates, and other stakeholders in follow-up action steps. The Task Force issued a report entitled "Blueprint for Action: Preparing Our Kids for Education, Work & Life." Panelists and moderators included: The Honrable John M. Greaney, Associate Justice, Supreme Judicial Court; The Honorable Martha P. Grace, Chief Justice, Massachusetts Juvenile Court; Della M. Hughes, Brandeis University, Director, MA Task Force on Youth Aging Out of DCF Care; Maureen Messeder, Director, Adolescent Services, DCF; and Robert P. Gittens, Vice President, Public Affairs, Northeastern University. The program was co-sponsored by the Child Advocacy Clinic at Suffolk University Law School and the Home for Little Wanderers.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Financial Crisis Rescue Plan Roundtable Discussion

This roundtable discussion addressed the federal financial crisis rescue plan as it was being debated in Congress. The program featured State Treasurer Tim Cahill; Undersecretary Daniel Crane, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation; Commissioner Steven Antonakes, Division of Banks; Thomas Stanton, Professor of Law at Johns Hopkins University; and Sara Johnson, Managing Director of Global Insight, Inc. State Senator Marian Walsh also provided commentary. Representatives of the banking industry, academic experts, government regulators, nonprofit leaders, and students participated in the roundtable. The discussion was moderated by Professor Alasdair Roberts, the Jerome Lyle Rappaport Chair in Law and Public Policy at Suffolk University Law School.

Thursday, October 2, 2008 

A Conversation with Wallace Baker

This program featured Attorney Wallace Baker, who shared his thoughts on the origins of ethics and examined various ethical questions from an interdisciplinary perspective. The central inquiry of the discussion was whether it makes a difference if businesses in a community act ethically. The program addressed issues including whether ethics vary in time and in different cultures; whether ethical conduct pays; what the relationship is between ethics and justice; and how a research university can improve business ethics. Wallace Baker is an international partner in the Baker & McKenzie law firm and has written extensively on subjects including corporate social responsibility, business ethics, the Global System for Sustainable Development, and the Kyoto Protocol. The program was co-sponsored by Suffolk University Sawyer Business School.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Public Policy Forum on Homelessness

This panel discussion featured representatives from state agencies charged with the implementation of new state policy to end homelessness in Massachusetts. Panelists discussed the implementation strategies for the program, the policy and program design, similar initiatives in other states, and how revenues will be re-allocated for shelter services to permanent housing for this new initiative. The panel also included the City of Boston's perspective on this new initiative and its impact on the City's homeless population going forward. The program was co-sponsored by the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Secrecy in the United States: Priorities for the Next President

Over the last eight years, Federal policymakers have struggled with contending claims about national security, executive privilege, and open government. Is the current administration excessively secretive? Or are its methods simply the most effective way to protect our nation in the post-9/11 world? In recognition of International Right to Know Day, Thomas S. Blanton, Director of the National Security Archive at the George Washington University, joined Professor Alasdair Roberts, the Jerome Lyle Rappaport Chair in Law and Public Policy at Suffolk University Law School, to discuss government transparency and suggest top reform priorities for the next President. Watch a 12-minute excerpt of Thomas Blanton's lecture (RealPlayer required). The program co-sponsored by the Ford Hall Forum.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Boumediene v. Bush, Examining Guantanamo and Restoring Habeas  

This program featured guest lecturer, Stephen H. Oleskey, Esq., Senior Lead Counsel in the Guantanamo Bay detainee case of Boumediene v. Bush, which was recently decided by the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Oleskey was one of several attorneys who offered pro bono assistance to detainees. The program was co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office, Civil Rights Division, and the Massachusetts Attorney General Institute.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Current Climate Change Initiatives

This Carbon Summit targeted the legal, policy, and practical dimensions of all aspects of changing carbon, power, and environmental regulation in New England and at the national level. The program included discussion of scientific and legal barriers to carbon regulation in the Northeast, anticipated carbon litigation, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, renewable energy and conservation opportunities for clients, and the impact of the Department of Environmental Protection MEPA Greenhouse Gas Policy. The program was co-sponsored by the Center for Advanced Legal Studies, the Moakley Institute, and the Massachusetts Bar Association.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Less Guilty By Reason of Adolescence?

This conference gathered together scientists, attorneys, social workers, probation officers, judges, and others who work with court-involved youth for a discussion of developments in the science of adolescent neurological and psychosocial development. The agenda included presentations about how adolescent development is relevant to adolescent culpability for misconduct. Attendees learned about how an adolescent's incomplete brain development renders them less able to foresee consequences or to reason about alternative behavior and the impact of current research into desistance from misconduct on juvenile court proceedings. The program was co-sponsored by the Center for Advanced Legal Studies, the Juvenile Justice Center, and the Flaschner Judicial Institute.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Ethics and the Public Lawyer: Who is the Client?

This program addressed ethics issues that arise in the context of representation of government agencies, focusing specifically on ethical considerations generated by the question of who the client is when representing a government agency. The program featured Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch, JD ‘92. Other program participants included Thomas Kiley, Esq., an expert on ethics and conflict issues under Massachusetts law; Peter Sturges, former Executive Director of the State Ethics Commission; and Nir Eisikovits, Professor of Philosophy from Suffolk University. The program was moderated by Professor Andrew Perlman of Suffolk University Law School.

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