In recent months and years, gender issues have taken an increasingly important role in discussions of law, policy, and electoral politics, garnering a great deal of media attention and public discussion.  What are the true implications of the Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire Corporation case and the government’s ensuing actions?  Have they been used, perhaps opportunistically or disingenuously, by either side in this debate?  Have gender issues in general been misused in the same way?  Is there a War on Women, or is this a canard designed to excite and mislead?

Featuring:

• Ms. Jennifer Braceras, Columnist and former Commissioner, United States Commission on Civil Rights
• Ms. Fatima Goss Graves, Vice President for Education and Employment, National Women’s Law Center
• Moderator: Mr. Dean A. Reuter, Vice President & Director of Practice Groups, The Federalist Society

[Listen now!]

On March 11, 2013, the Indianapolis Lawyers Chapter of the Federalist Society hosted an event featuring Mr. Roger Clegg, President and CEO of the Center for Equal Opportunity. The topic of the address was "Why the Supreme Court Should Strike Down Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act". Introduction by Mr. Brian J. Paul of Ice Miller LLP and President of the Indianapolis Lawyers Chapter. [Listen now!]

An increase in Federal executive branch regulatory activity – whether through executive order, formal or informal administrative agency action – has been noted by many across the country. In launching the Executive Branch Review Project, the Practice Groups of the Federalist Society seek to prompt a national debate about whether there has been an uptick in such regulatory activity, and, if so, with what consequence. The project will provide objective resources that identify major government activity, and will provide a forum for debate and discussion about whether such regulation constitutes a form of legal and regulatory overreach. The first component of this project is a new blog dedicated to highlighting action or inaction by the executive branch, http://www.executivebranchproject.com/.

To kickoff this new endeavor, U.S. Senator Michael S. Lee (Utah) and Federalist Society founder and Vice Chairman David M. McIntosh discussed the project and provided their perspectives on the use of executive power.

Featuring:

• Hon. Michael S. Lee, United States Senate, Utah
• Hon. David M. McIntosh, Partner, Mayer Brown LLP and Vice Chairman, The Federalist Society
• Moderator: Mr. Dean A. Reuter, Vice President & Director of Practice Groups, The Federalist Society

[Listen now!]

On Wednesday, February 27, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Shelby County v. Holder.  At stake is the possible survival of Section V of the Voting Rights Act.  Some have argued that the use of race-conscious districting to maximize safe black legislative seats – built into the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act – has been a brake on minority political aspirations.  Others have argued that Section V is overcome by events, based on election participation data forty years old.  Still others argue that Section V has been vital in leveling the playing field of electoral politics.  On this previously recorded conference call, our experts attended the oral argument and reported to listeners in this special "Courthouse Steps" edition of Teleforum.

Featuring:

• Hon. Abigail Thernstrom, Adjunct Scholar, American Enterprise Institute
• Hon. Hans A. von Spakovsky, Senior Legal Fellow and Manager, Civil Justice Reform Initiative, The Heritage Foundation
• Moderator: Mr. Dean A. Reuter, Vice President & Director of Practice Groups, The Federalist Society

[Listen now!]