American Constitution Society News

Congratulations to the new ACS board!

Posted April 15th, 2013 by Melissa Weinstein
President - Jessica Homer
VP - Wes Pagles
Treasurer - Kevin Coleman
Secretary - Jennifer Pence
Program Chair - Tara Adkins
Membership Chair - Andrea Aikin
Director of Media and Public Relations - Chris Salsman

ACS Student Chapter 2013-2014 Elections

Posted April 14th, 2013 by Melissa Weinstein
ACS annual elections today at noon in room LL80. Any returning law student is eligible to hold office. 
Below is a brief description of the available offices:

President: The President shall call ACS meetings, coordinate the operations and direction of the ACS, and serve as a liaison between the ACS and the U of L administration. 

Vice-President: The Vice-President shall call ACS meetings in the President's absence and coordinate the activities of the chairpersons. 

Secretary: The Secretary shall compile and maintain the minutes of meetings and the records of the organization, keep a current list of members, and be responsible for notifying members of meetings. 

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall maintain the financial accounts and records of the ACS, set forth the ACS's budget, submit the ACS‘s financial reports to the Student Bar Association according to SBA guidelines, submit event receipts to ACS for member reimbursable. 

Membership Chairperson: The Membership Chairperson shall organize a membership drive in the fall and shall organize additional membership drives as needed to recruit new members. 

Program Chairperson: The Program Chairperson shall plan and organize the events throughout the year with the assistance of other board members. 

We will have a brief question and answer session regarding the positions prior to voting. Free pizza from Tony Boombozz. 

Do we still need the Voting Rights Act or are we living in a post-racial society?

Posted April 10th, 2013 by Melissa Weinstein
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments regarding the 1965 Voting Rights Act in the pivotal case Shelby County v. Holder. The issue before the Court was the whether Congress’ decision in 2006 to reauthorize Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act exceeded its authority. Join ACS, BLSA, and Constitutional lawProfessor Cedric Powell to discuss the Shelby County case, the history of the the VRA and its relevance today, and his theories on the Robert's court post-racial constitutionalism where the Court is signaling that formal racism has ended and there is no need to employ race-conscious remedies. Today, 12:00, Room 175. Lunch will be provided by Taco Punk.

Interested in the Future of the Voting Rights Act and Post-Racial Policy?

Posted April 8th, 2013 by Melissa Weinstein
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments regarding the 1965 Voting Rights Act in the pivotal case Shelby County v. Holder. The issue before the Court was the whether Congress’ decision in 2006 to reauthorize Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act exceeded its authority under the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments thus violating the Tenth Amendment and Article IV. Join ACS, BLSA, and Constitutional law Professor Cedric Powell to discuss the Shelby County case, the history of the the VRA and its relevance today, and his theories on the Robert's court post-racial constitutionalism (including Parents Involved and Ricci) where the Court signals that formal racism has ended and there is no need to employ race-conscious remedies. Professor Powell has written over a broad range of topics including affirmative action and Critical Race Theory. His current research focuses on developing an analytical framework for critiquing post-racial neutrality under the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VII. Thursday, 12:00, Room 175. Lunch will be provided by Taco Punk.

DOMA: A Look at Marriage Equality in 2013 - TODAY

Posted March 19th, 2013 by Melissa Weinstein
Join ACS and attorney Nicole Kersting for a discussion on the DOMA suits pending before the Supreme Court, marriage equality on a local and national level, and what potential actions can be anticipated in the future to address individual state bans such as the 2004 KY Constitutional amendment. If time permits, she will also be discussing pending KY legislature HB 279 and the potential civil rights implications. 

Nicole Kersting was the president of University of Louisville's Lambda Law Caucus during law school, she is a member Coordinating Committee with the Fairness Campaign, the Statewide Fairness Steering Committee, and was featured as a Commentator on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. She currently practices family law with Derenzo Durrett, PLLC, and works as an activist in the gay community to advance the rights of LGBTQ individuals and families in the state of Kentucky. TODAY, 12:00, Rm. 175, FREE QDOBA!

DOMA and Marriage Equality in 2013

Posted March 15th, 2013 by Melissa Weinstein
Join ACS and attorney Nicole Kersting for a discussion on the DOMA suits pending before the Supreme Court. Ms. Kersting will be discussing marriage equality on a local and national level and what potential actions can be anticipated in the future to address individual state bans such as the 2004 KY Constitutional amendment.

Nicole Kersting was the president of University of Louisville's Lambda Law Caucus during law school, she is a member Coordinating Committee with the Fairness Campaign, the Statewide Fairness Steering Committee, and was featured as a Commentator on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. She currently practices family law with Derenzo Durrett, PLLC, and works as an activist in the gay community to advance the rights of LGBTQ individuals and families in the state of Kentucky. This Tuesday, March 19, 12:00, Room 175. FREE QDOBA. 

TODAY - Congressman Yarmuth speaking on gun control legislation in Room 275

Posted February 21st, 2013 by Melissa Weinstein

Please join the Kentucky Lawyer Chapter and University of Louisville School of Law Student Chapter of the American Constitution Society as well as the Public Interest Section of the Louisville Bar Association as we welcome Congressman John Yarmuth and Georgia State College of Law Professor Neil Kinkopf to discuss the politics and constitutional implications of Congress’ efforts to strengthen our nation’s gun laws.

 
  
Representative John Yarmuth (D-KY)
Third Congressional District of Kentucky
 
 
Neil J. Kinkopf
Professor of Law, Georgia State University College of Law; Former Special Assistant, Office of Legal Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice; Member, Board of Advisors, ACS Georgia Lawyer Chapter
  
Congressman Yarmuth, who has been in the national spotlight for his support of federal proposals to help reduce gun violence, will provide insight into legislation pending before Congress – including universal background checks and restrictions on high-capacity ammunition magazines and assault weapons.  He will also discuss his work on the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
 
Professor Kinkopf will discuss the constitutionality of the pending measures and whether there is a danger of running afoul of the Second Amendment.
 
The discussion will attempt to navigate the controversial issues shaping the debate, including whether the politics surrounding gun laws are too divisive for legitimate reform, the proposed legislation can withstand the Supreme Court's decision in D.C. v. Heller (2008), and regulations of this nature can truly be effective in curbing gun violence in the United States.
 
accent bar
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  
Room 275
Box lunches will be provided from Stevens and Stevens Deli to the first 80 attendees

Gun Control: Discussion with Congressman John Yarmuth and Professor Neil Kinkopf - TOMORROW

Posted February 20th, 2013 by Melissa Weinstein

Please join the Kentucky Lawyer Chapter and University of Louisville School of Law Student Chapter of the American Constitution Society as well as the Public Interest Section of the Louisville Bar Association as we welcome Congressman John Yarmuth and Georgia State College of Law Professor Neil Kinkopf to discuss the politics and constitutional implications of Congress’ efforts to strengthen our nation’s gun laws.

 
  
Representative John Yarmuth (D-KY)
Third Congressional District of Kentucky
 
 
Neil J. Kinkopf
Professor of Law, Georgia State University College of Law; Former Special Assistant, Office of Legal Counsel, U.S. Department of Justice; Member, Board of Advisors, ACS Georgia Lawyer Chapter
  
Congressman Yarmuth, who has been in the national spotlight for his support of federal proposals to help reduce gun violence, will provide insight into legislation pending before Congress – including universal background checks and restrictions on high-capacity ammunition magazines and assault weapons.  He will also discuss his work on the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
 
Professor Kinkopf will discuss the constitutionality of the pending measures and whether there is a danger of running afoul of the Second Amendment.
 
The discussion will attempt to navigate the controversial issues shaping the debate, including whether the politics surrounding gun laws are too divisive for legitimate reform, the proposed legislation can withstand the Supreme Court's decision in D.C. v. Heller (2008), and regulations of this nature can truly be effective in curbing gun violence in the United States.
 
accent bar
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  
Room 275
Box lunches will be provided from Stevens and Stevens Deli

U.S. Congressman John Yarmuth Speaking at the Law School on Gun Control Legislation - FRIDAY

Posted February 18th, 2013 by Melissa Weinstein

John Yarmuth, D-KY

John Yarmuth, D-KY

Please join ACS and the Public Interest Section of the Louisville Bar Association as we welcome Congressman John Yarmuth and Georgia State College of Law Professor Neil Kinkopf to discuss the politics and constitutional implications of Congress’ efforts to strengthen our nation’s gun laws.
 
Congressman Yarmuth, who has been in the national spotlight for his support of federal proposals to help reduce gun violence, will provide insight into legislation pending before Congress – including universal background checks and restrictions on high-capacity ammunition magazines and assault weapons.  He will also discuss his work on the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force.
 
Professor Kinkopf will discuss the constitutionality of the pending measures and whether there is a danger of running afoul of the Second Amendment.
 
The discussion will attempt to navigate the controversial issues shaping the debate, including whether the politics surrounding gun laws are too divisive for legitimate reform, the proposed legislation can withstand the Supreme Court's decision in D.C. v. Heller (2008), and regulations of this nature can truly be effective in curbing gun violence in the United States. Friday, February 22, 11:30 - 1:30, Room 275. Lunch will be provided.

Intersection of Indigent Defense and Immigration: The Impact of Padilla v. Kentucky - TODAY

Posted February 18th, 2013 by Melissa Weinstein

This is the event for you. Two years ago in the landmark case Padilla v. Kentucky, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the 6th Amendment requires criminal defense attorneys to advise their non-citizen clients about the immigration consequences of a plea. The impact of this decision has caused waves in the fields of both criminal defense and immigration law and the full aftermath has not yet been fully realized. 

Tim ArnoldTim Arnold has represented Jose Padilla either as lead or co-counsel through his case and before the U.S. Supreme Court, and continues to represent him before the state court on remand where the case is now pending. Mr. Arnold has been with the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy since 1996 and currently serves as the Post-Trial Division Director. Join ACS and Tim Arnold to discuss the implications of the Padilla decision, its application moving forward, and how it will shape the role of criminal defense attorneys. TODAY, February 19, 12:00. Room 175. Free box lunches from Jason's Deli to the first 40 attendees. 

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