Popular television shows and films on the law have made the legal profession seem exciting and glamorous. Discover how real law can be even more stimulating than its dramatic facsimile. This series will focus on selected current, highly publicized, volatile and contentious legal issues presented in important selected cases pending before, or just decided by, federal and state trial and appellate courts, as well as by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Last term, the presentations and interactive colloquy centered on profound issues affecting all OLLI students and their families. Past semesters also included discourse on possible unconstitutional Executive or Legislative Branch conduct as to DACA, the Emoluments Clause, gerrymandering, interference with voting rights, and problematic Executive Branch orders, including travel bans. Finally, re-occurring constitutional and legal confrontations in the context of abortion, church v. state, Second Amendment gun control, transgender and same-sex confrontations (including requiring a bakery to produce a same-sex wedding cake), as well as the legality of “Sanctuary Cities,” all permitted active, energizing, and useful learning. Forthcoming semesters will likely evoke “more of the same,” and equally stimulating and informative new legal and Constitutional dialogues.
A host of similarly vexing new Constitutional issues now await the Supreme Court, including reconciliation of conflicting decisions by lower appellate courts upon pivotal issues directly affecting all Osher LLI students, all for our discussion and analysis during this semester. Indeed, certain issues seemingly resolved by the Supreme Court during its last term have actually only opened new areas for further substantive Constitutional inquiries during our forthcoming classes. Finally, this lecture series seeks to anticipate newly emerging important and contentious legal issues and prepare the audience to better understand the often disparate and confusing legal positions of all opposing parties.
Immediately prior to the first class, new students are invited to attend a pre-lecture primer at 2 p.m. on April 23, 2020, outlining the basic structure of our federal and state appellate court processes. Returning students are also always welcome to attend.
Immediately prior to the first class, new students are invited to attend a pre-lecture primer at 2 p.m. on April 23, 2020, outlining the basic structure of our federal and state appellate court processes. Returning students are also always welcome to attend.
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Video link will be in class' lecture notes when made available. Click here to learn how to access lecture notes for registered classes.
