Separation of powers and the role of the courts will be the focus of the Connecticut Law Review’s 2020 symposium, entitled “Empires or Umpires? Political Questions, Separation of Powers, and Judicial Legitimacy,” to be held online Oct. 9.

Legal scholars and practitioners will explain and debate the role the courts play in today’s politically polarized society. In addition to discussing the implication of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Bush v. Gore, which was issued 20 years ago this fall, speakers will delve into a recent decision the court made in a case concerning partisan gerrymandering.

Jamal Greene, the Dwight Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, will deliver the keynote address. Greene is a scholar of constitutional law and the author of a forthcoming book about civil rights in the United States, “How Rights Went Wrong: Why Our Obsession with Rights Is Tearing America Apart.”

Jillian Chambers ‘21 and Qing Wai Wong ‘21, the symposium coordinators, said they worked hard to make sure the virtual event will feature the same quality of speakers and engender the same energy it would if it were held in person.

“We’re so excited that our speakers are just as committed to discussing the role of the judiciary in these highly politicized times in this new format as we are,” Chambers said. “We wouldn’t have been able to pivot seamlessly without the help of our steadfast advisers, Professors Kiel Brennan-Marquez and Douglas Spencer.”

The symposium is free to students, faculty and staff at the UConn School of Law and other guests. Registration costs $50 for attendees seeking Connecticut CLE credit.  It will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  the first time the event has been conducted virtually.

Registration is required by October 8, 2020. More information, including a link to the online registration form can be found here.