Is there an ethical obligation to improve the law?
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Boston University School of Law
765 Commonwealth Avenue, Barristers Hall
Boston, MA 02215
Lunch will be available starting at 12pm. The Panel discussion will begin at 12:30pm.
Please note at this time while registration for person attendance is full, we do encourage you to watch the zoom here.
Join BU Law for the annual Shapiro Lecture featuring a panel discussion between Hon. Robert W. Pratt, Hon. Nancy Gertner, and Hon. Jack McConnell focused on the ethical obligation to improve the law, moderated by Associate Professor Zohra Ahmed.
Join BU Law for the annual Max M. Shapiro Lecture, featuring a panel discussion between three distinguished federal judges, Judge Robert Pratt, Judge Nancy Gertner, and Judge Jack McConnell. Moderated by Professor Zohra Ahmed, the conversation will explore their unique journeys to the bench, their shared commitment to justice, and the ongoing challenges in the judicial system.
The judges will delve into their experiences on the bench, particularly their encounters with the increasingly punitive nature of the criminal justice system, mandatory sentencing guidelines, and the limited discretion afforded to judges. They will discuss the landmark 2005 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Booker, which redefined sentencing guidelines as advisory, and the ongoing resistance from appellate courts that continued to challenge district court discretion.
Drawing from personal anecdotes, court cases, and decades of advocacy, the judges will discuss the broader implications of sentencing reform, the ethical duty of judges to speak out, and the necessity for continued legal and systemic change. Beyond sentencing, the conversation will touch upon underfunded areas of law that disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, such as social security and disability claims—issues often overlooked but critical to ensuring access to justice.
The Shapiro Lecture is a tribute to the memory of Max Shapiro (LAW‘33), a lawyer who devoted his career to examining the place of legal ethics in trial advocacy.
Boston University School of Law strives to be accessible, inclusive and diverse in our facilities, programming and academic offerings. Your experience in this event is important to us. If you have a disability (including but not limited to learning or attention, mental health, concussion, vision, mobility, hearing, physical or other health related), require communication access services for the deaf or hard of hearing, or believe that you require a reasonable accommodation for another reason, please contact lawevent@bu.edu to discuss your needs. Please note, that the office of Disability Services typically requires 10 business days notice for services.