Interference with Judicial Independence and Local Law Enforcement – Preserving the Rule of Law in an Age of Disruption

This five-part series features panels of respected experts from across the political spectrum – including former government officials, judges and scholars –identifying current challenges and threats to the rule of law in America, discussing why they matter and proposing remedies. The goal is to create an ongoing and thought-provoking discussion among the legal profession, the academic community and the public about what can and should be done to assure that America remains a nation governed by law even in a time of crisis – or especially in a time of crisis – and to identify the actions necessary for our justice system to promote the impartial, equitable and effective enforcement of those laws.

This session explores the effects of Executive disruption of several distinct justice systems – civil and criminal courts, the immigration court system, and local law enforcement. Speakers explore the implications of Executive interference with investigations and trials, castigation of individual judges and jurors, the deployment of military and/or federal forces in connection with local law enforcement, and the issuance of pardons without traditional due diligence for& civilian and military crimes.

Keynote Speaker:
Charles Fried, Professor of Law, Harvard Law School; former U.S. Solicitor General under President Ronald Reagan

Speakers:
Chuck Rosenberg, former Chief of Staff to the FBI Director; former Acting Administrator of Drug Enforcement Administration; former US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and Southern District of Texas
Hon. Jed Rakoff, Senior U.S. District Court Judge, Southern District of New York
Harold Hongju Koh, Sterling Professor of International Law and former Dean, Yale Law School; former Legal Adviser of the U.S. Department of State
Margaret Colgate Love, Executive Director, Collateral Consequences Resource Center; former U.S. Pardon Attorney

Moderator:
Roger Juan Maldonado, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP; former President, New York City Bar Association

Sponsoring Committee:
Task Force on the Rule of Law, Stephen L. Kass, Chair