On October 12,Ìý2023, the Byron R. White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law welcomed Professor to discuss the increasing importance of state constitutions in our current legal climate.ÌýShe is the Director of the ’s Judiciary Program at New York University School of Law and an expert in Constitutional Law.ÌýAs Editor in Chief of theÌý, she shared this new timely resource that tracks developments in state constitutional law across all 50 states.Ìý
Over 100 students, professors, and staff joined Professor Bannon for the lunch talk to learn about the State Court Report and state constitutional trends across the country. Professor Suzette Malveaux, Director of the Byron White Center, opened the lunch talk, providing context for why lawyers, scholars and advocates were turning to local and state law.ÌýBannon emphasized how state constitutions can provide opportunities for affirmative rights and extra protections.ÌýByron White Fellow Sarah Sorenson moderated the Q&A, fielding questions about climate justice, LGBTQ protections and voting rights in our states’ highest courts.Ìý
That evening, the Byron White Center co-hosted a discussion with the State Court Report and others as part of the Herrick Roth Lecture Series at the University of Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ School of Public Affairs in Denver. There, Bannon joined Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Supreme Court Justice Melissa Hart and Sturm College of Law Professor Tom Romero in discussing the Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ state constitution in particular.ÌýÅ·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Public Radio’s Chandra Thomas Whitfield moderated the panel, which provided varied perspectives and an inside look into some of the challenges and advantages of the Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ state constitution.ÌýEnvironmental protection, amendments to the Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ constitution, and TרOR effects on Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ public schools were topics of interest.
To stay updated about what is currently happening in the state courts, you may want to visit the State Court Report and check outÌýtheÌý, a searchable engine for recent, significant state constitutional law decisions.
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