Clason Speaker Series 2008/2009

singleton.jpg

David Singleton
"Diligence Alone Won't Do: Representing Indigent Defendants Zealously"

An advocate for a fair criminal justice system, David Singleton shared his expertise in his lecture titled "Diligence Alone Won't Do: Representing Indigent Defendants Zealously." Singleton is the Executive Director of the Ohio Justice and Policy Center (OJPC), a nonprofit, nonpartisan, public interest law firm. He is also a Visiting Professor of Law at Northern Kentucky University's Salmon P. Chase College of Law, where he teaches the Constitutional Litigation Clinic. The Clinic gives third- and fourth-year law students the opportunity to represent OJPC clients in federal and state court proceedings. Mr. Singleton has previously served as a Lecturer at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

 
michaelsclason.jpg

Dr. David Michaels
"Doubt is Their Product: Manufactured Uncertainty and Public Health"

Dr. David Michaels, an epidemiologist with extensive experience in research, regulatory and public policy, and program administration, spoke about "Doubt is Their Product: Manufactured Uncertainty and Public Health" in his February 5 lecture. He currently serves as Research Professor and Interim Chairman of the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. During the Clinton Administration, Dr. Michaels was Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environment, Safety and Health. In that position, he was the chief architect of the historic initiative to compensate workers in the nuclear weapons complex who developed cancer or lung disease as a result of exposure to radiation, beryllium, and other hazards. He also oversaw promulgation of DOE's Chronic Beryllium Disease Prevention Rule. In 2006, Dr. Michaels received the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Scientific Freedom and Responsibility Award. He is the author of Doubt is Their Product: How Industry's Assault on Science Threatens Your Health (Oxford University Press, 2008).

 
 

Stephanie Robinson, Esq.,
"Election 2008: Race, Gender, Power, and the Future of America"

Just after the historic 2008 Presidential Election, Stephanie Esquire offered an insightful talk about its impact on the future of America. Robinson is President and CEO of The Jamestown Project, a think tank that works to promote democracy, social justice, and other critical issues. Robinson is a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, and lectures on issues such as electoral politics, social policy, women, family, and race. She has extensive political experience as the former Chief Counsel to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, and a participant in two presidential campaigns, providing  advise to candidates and their key advisors. On an international level, she helped draft Kenya's constitution in 1994, and was involved in the interantional meeting Table of Free Voices in Berlin. She is ranked as one of the 30 Young Leaders of the Future in Ebony magazine.

 
mratner.jpg

Michael Ratner
“The First 100 Days: Restoring Our Constitution”

Michael Ratner, the October , 2008 Clason speaker, is the President of the Center for Constitutional rights, a nonprofit legal organization. Attorney Ratner has held faculty positions at Yale, New York University, and Columbia law schools. He has written several articles and books on civil liberties and social justice, including Guantanamo: What The World Should Know, and Against War with Iraq: An Anti-War Primer. Ratner is also co-host of “Law and Disorder,” a radio program that discusses controversial cases involving human rights, armed aggression, and practices of torture.  He has served as an attorney on numerous significant cases in the arena of human rights, including representing Guantanamo Bay detainees in the United States Supreme Court cases Rasul v. Bush (2004) and Boumediene v. Bush (2008).  Ratner has received many high honors, such as being included in The National Law Journal’s list of “100 of the Most Influential Lawyers in America,” in 200.
 davidhallphoto.jpg  David Hall
"Multiple Intelligences and the Practice of Law"

In his October 8, 2008, lecture David Hall explored the emerging scientific developments associated with “Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Intelligence,” and the role they play in developing effective and well balanced lawyers. A special emphasis was placed on the development of spiritual intelligence within the context of the legal profession, the subject of his book,The Spiritual Revitalization of the Legal Profession: A Search for Sacred Rivers (Edwin Mellen Press, 2005). Professor Hall currently is amember of the faculty of Northeastern University School of Law. Hall served as Dean of the School of Law from 1993 to 1998 when he was named Provost of the University. Professor Hall serves on numerous boards, including the Legal Services Corporation, an 11-member board to which he was appointed by President Bush in 2003. His many honors include receiving the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession Award (1993) and The National Association of Public Interest Lawyers named Hall Outstanding Dean of the Year by the National Association of Public Interest Lawyers (1997). Professor Hall earned his B.A. from Kansas State University, his M.A. and J.D. from the University of Oklahoma, and his LL.M. from Harvard University.