For those in the New York City area this weekend, you have a chance to come and heckle Kaimi and I in person. We are both going to be on a panel of “young lawyers” (along with Todd Lundell) at the national LDS Law Students Conference, being sponsored this year by the LDS students at Columbia Law School (aka the Harvard of the Upper West Side). The topic of the panel will be the “Intellectual Relationship Between Law and Mormonism,” and it will kick off at Columbia Law School at about 1 pm. <\/p>\n
If you want more information on the conference, the following email was circulated to LDS law students around the country by the organizers of the event:<\/p>\n
Greetings,<\/p>\n
Already students from nineteen different law schools have registered for the conference, ensuring that this year’s conference will be the most geographically diverse gathering of LDS law students ever and will surpass last year’s conference in terms of attendance. In order to facilitate planning for such a large group, we are setting Tuesday, February 8th as a soft deadline for registration. Although we will accept registrations after that date, we cannot guarantee late registrants access to meals and registration materials. Each person planning to attend must complete the attached form, including spouses, friends, attorneys, etc. The form must be completed regardless of whether you request accommodations. <\/p>\n
Please find below answers to questions frequently asked about the conference. The section regarding speakers has been updated to include the additions to the program of Elder Ralph Hardy, member of the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy and Kevin Worthen, Dean of the J. Reuben Clark Law School. <\/p>\n
If you have any questions, please contact Zeke Johnson at zjohnson@law.harvard.edu. We are excited to hear from you and look forward to meeting you in person February 18th. <\/p>\n
Sincerely, <\/p>\n
Jared Pace
\nCo-chair, Conference Committee
\nPresident, J. Reuben Clark Law Society of Columbia Law School<\/p>\nZeke Johnson
\nCo-chair, Conference Committee
\nPresident, Harvard Law Latter-day Saints, a J. Reuben Clark Law Society chapter<\/p>\nQuestions & Answers:<\/p>\n
Who is planning the conference?<\/b><\/p>\n
The conference is a joint effort of the LDS groups at Columbia and Harvard with generous support from the J. Reuben Clark Law Society.<\/p>\n
Who may attend the conference?<\/b><\/p>\n
We encourage you to invite members of your law school community, whether fellow students or faculty. The conference also welcomes pre-law students, practitioners, or anyone else interested in discussing issues pertinent to LDS law students.<\/p>\n
When is the conference?<\/b><\/p>\n
Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19. Although the schedule is not final, it is anticipated that registration will begin at 5pm on Friday, with the evening’s speaker addressing the conference at 6pm. Saturday’s program will end shortly after 4pm. The activities listed below will likely take place before registration Friday (about 2pm) and Saturday evening. <\/p>\n
Where is the conference? <\/b><\/p>\n
Columbia Law School
\n435 West 116th St.
\nNew York, NY 10027-7297
\n(212) 854-2640<\/p>\nWhich airport should I use?<\/b><\/p>\n
The closest airport is La Guardia. From LGA you can take a taxi (about a 25 min ride, $20-$25) or MTA bus (1 hour, $2).<\/p>\n
Next closest is JFK. From JFK you can take a taxi (1 hour ride, $50), private shuttle bus (1 hour plus waiting time, about $18), or public transportation ($7, 1.5 hours, multiple transfers, and some stairs). The taxis and shuttle buses are great for those traveling in groups.<\/p>\n
Newark is further than JFK, and if you do not take public transportation (about $13 and 2 hours, multiple transfers), you will pay a considerable amount to reach Columbia. <\/p>\n
Islip (Long Island) is further still.<\/p>\n
How do I request free accommodations?<\/b><\/p>\n
You will be able to request free accommodations on your registration form. We will make assignments on a first-to-register-first-served basis. You will be responsible for contacting and making arrangements with your hosts. <\/p>\n
What costs are involved in attending the conference?<\/b><\/p>\n
The conference committee is planning on providing breakfast and lunch Saturday. Accommodations will be provided as explained above. Attendees will be responsible for all other costs such as costs associated with activities and the registration fee of $15, which can be paid at the door.<\/p>\n
Who is speaking at the conference?<\/b> <\/p>\n
Elder Ralph W. Hardy, Jr. Elder Hardy will be Friday night’s keynote speaker. He serves in the Fifth Quorum of the Seventy in the U.S. East Area Presidency. He is also Chairman of the Washington Public Affairs Advisory Committee for the Church. Professionally, he is a partner at Dow, Lohnes & Albertson in D.C. His biography can be viewed at http:\/\/www.dlalaw.com\/site\/bio_1.asp?section=2&subsection=2&seqa=0&seqb=0&PgID=RWH.<\/p>\n
Chief Justice Christine Durham, of the Utah Supreme Court, will be Saturday’s keynote (see her biography at http:\/\/www.utcourts.gov\/judgesbios\/supremgal.htm). In addition to her work on the bench, Chief Justice Durham has taught at Brigham Young University’s law school, and the University of Utah College of Law. She is a Trustee of Duke University and the Council of the American Law Institute, and is a past president of the National Association of Women Judges and a former member of the Federal Judicial Conference’s Advisory Committee on the Rules of Civil Procedure. <\/p>\n
Kevin Worthen, Dean J. Reuben Clark Law School will present a paper on the topic of Native American religious expression and the Constitution. His biography is available at http:\/\/www.law2.byu.edu\/Law_School\/faculty_profiles\/fp_frameset.htm.<\/p>\n
Sarah Barringer Gordon, Professor of Law and History at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Professor Gordon has been giving talks around the country on her book, The Mormon Question: Polygamy and Constitutional Conflict in Nineteenth-Century America (2002) which won the Mormon History Association\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Best Book Award in May 2003. She is currently working on a new book about religion and litigation in the twentieth century, titled The Spirit of the Law. Learn more about Professor Gordon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s work at http:\/\/www.law.upenn.edu\/cf\/faculty\/sgordon\/. <\/p>\n
The conference will also include a women’s panel, a panel of recent graduates discussing the intellectual connection between law and Mormonism, as well as a panel of experienced practitioners highlighting the international practice of law.<\/p>\n
What activities are being planned?<\/b><\/p>\n
The conference committee is considering the following activities. It will plan some as group activities and make information available regarding others, ensuring that attendees will have a great NYC experience. Attendees will need to pay all costs in relation to activities. Again, the activities will be planned for Friday afternoon or after the session on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Tour of the New York Stock Exchange, including witnessing the closing bell tour of Federal Hall (across from the NYSE) where George Washington took the oath of office and the First Amendment was enshrined an LDS historical walking tour for NYC tours of several prestigious law firms (Cravath, Davis Polk, S&C, etc.) and corporations (Goldman Sachs, ABC, NBC) visits to museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art aattend a Broadway show (possible pre-show backstage tour) visit historical sites <\/p>\n
What schools have committed to coming?<\/b><\/p>\n
Although registration has not yet begun, many students have committed to attend the J. Reuben Clark Law Society training session that will be held Saturday morning. They include students from Columbia Law School, Harvard Law School, six schools from the DC area, Ohio State College of Law, Case Western Reserve University Law School, University of Houston, Arizona State University College of Law, Washburn University, University of Tulsa College of Law, University of Minnesota, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Lewis and Clark College Northwestern School of Law, Ohio State College of Law, Willamette University, University of Nebraska School of Law, and University of Michigan. Many more schools have expressed interest in attending.<\/p>\n
Is there funding to attend the conference?<\/b><\/p>\n
Yes. If you are an officially recognized chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, the International Board may assist you in sending one representative. For more information about such funding or for general information about becoming a JRCLS chapter, please contact Chad Keetch at keetch.1@gmail.com. <\/p>\n
Several schools also have received funding from their administrations. If you would like to learn how other schools have obtained such funding or if you have had success in doing so, please e-mail Zeke Johnson at zjohnson@law.harvard.edu. If you need more information not contained here in your efforts with your administration, again, please e-mail Zeke Johnson.<\/p>\n
Comments from last year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s attendees.<\/p>\n
“The conference was a huge success[;] it was an inspiring weekend. Thanks to you, Harvard, and those who pulled it together. I am so glad I attended. I can sincerely see myself looking back ten years from now and noting that the conference made a significant difference in my life both academically and spiritually.”<\/p>\n
Student from Georgetown<\/p>\n
“I thought the conference was excellent, I will encourage all of my classmates to attend next year. I thought it was a great mixture of spiritual and professional content, and I really enjoyed getting to know other LDS students. Also, I think LDS law students need to see and hear great LDS attorneys; we need role models, and the conference fulfilled that.”<\/p>\n
Student from Virginia Law School<\/p>\n
“I thought the conference was awesome. I think that the variety of perspectives–academics, young lawyers, older lawyers, non-LDS speakers, etc. was great!\u00e2\u20ac?<\/p>\n
Student from NYU <\/p>\n
“Great job with the conference! Interesting speakers (especially the panel of professionals).”<\/p>\n
Non-LDS student from Harvard<\/p>\n
“Thank you for putting on a great conference. It was wonderful to go to Boston and meet so many great people.”<\/p>\n
Pre-law student from BYU<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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