The Forum 2025-26
The Forum, sponsored by Latham & Watkins, presents discussions on current events, legal and public policy issues, and intellectual ideas. The programs feature experts from within and outside the Law School, and time is generally allowed for questions from the audience.
Fall 2025 Schedule
The Antitrust Revolution
Wednesday, September 10, 1:10–2:25 p.m.
Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge
Antitrust is undergoing a profound reexamination, and enjoying a surge of support across the political spectrum. What does antitrust's return to the spotlight mean for American business, and in particular for Big Tech? Are we witnessing a bipartisan shift in competition policy? Do we need antitrust reforms? And what lies ahead? Join FTC Commissioner Mark Meador, named to the commission by President Trump and a prominent supporter of vigorous antitrust enforcement, in conversation with Professor Daniel Francis. Time will be left at the end of the conversation for audience questions.
- , Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission
- , JSD ’20, Assistant Professor of Law, Law
Book Talk: Lawless, by Leah Litman
Wednesday, September 17, 1:10–2:25 p.m.
Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge
The title of Professor Leah Litman’s new book—Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes—makes her point of view clear from the get-go. And, according to the New York Times, the book “renders dense constitutional analysis into something urgent and accessible—a field guide for navigating our current constitutional crisis.” At this Forum, Litman will present Lawless and talk about it with one of her Strict Scrutiny podcast co-hosts, Professor Melissa Murray.
Co-hosted by the Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center, Law
- , Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School
- , Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law and Faculty Director, Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center, Law
All the President’s Power: What’s Left of Checks and Balances?
Wednesday, October 22, 1:10–2:25 p.m.
Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge
With a series of recent decisions, the US Supreme Court has invested the president and executive branch with a level of power and autonomy unprecedented in American history. From the scope of immunity granted in Trump v. United States to a collection of rulings—some final, some provisional—on the president’s right to remove heads of independent agencies, shutter entire operations, decline to disburse congressionally approved funds, and more, one cannot help asking: Is the notion of checks and balances—so long a foundational premise of Con Law and civics classes—effectively a dead letter? Are there any meaningful constraints left on the ability of a president to do as he pleases? At this Forum, a panel of experts on presidential power will attempt to provide answers.
Co-hosted by the , Law
- , Professor of Practice and Distinguished Senior Fellow, Reiss Center on Law and Security, Law; White House Counsel, 2009–11
- , Visiting Professor of Law, Law; Professor and Director of Constitutional Law Center, Stanford Law School; Judge, US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 2002–09
- , Professor, Columbia Law School; Acting Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, US Department of Justice, 2023–24
- , Professor, Dean Emeritus, and Faculty Co-Director, Reiss Center on Law and Security, Law; Associate White House Counsel, 2009
Defamation Lawfare: Reputation, Retribution, and Press Freedom
Wednesday, November 5, 1:10–2:20 p.m.
Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge
Guardians of press freedom have pointed to troubling trends in recent years. Defamation lawsuits are not only growing in number but are also increasingly employing forum shopping, naming individual reporters as defendants, and seeking to impose crippling costs on political rivals: defamation lawfare. At the same time, influential voices (including some Supreme Court justices) have called for reassessing constitutional protections for the press dating back to New York Times v. Sullivan. The media landscape has completely transformed since that ruling, especially with the rise of social media platforms, which are mostly insulated from defamation claims by statute. In this new environment, how should the law secure press freedom while protecting against reputational harm? Are concerns that the Court grappled with in Sullivan different today in degree or in kind? What would be the consequences of holding social media companies more accountable? At this Forum, a group of experts with a range of experiences and perspectives will address these issues.
- , Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Vox Media
- , Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, New York Times
- , Founding Partner, Meier Watkins Phillips Pusch
- , Norman Dorsen Professor of Civil Liberties Emeritus, Law
Moderator
- , Visiting Professor of Law, Law; Professor of Law, Stanford Law School
Spring 2026 Schedule
A Conversation with Solicitors General
Wednesday, January 28, 1:10–2:25 p.m.
Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge
The solicitor general of the United States is one of the most senior members of the US Department of Justice. Each year, SGs and members of their office argue dozens of cases before the Supreme Court. The frequency of these appearances and the deference the Court has long accorded SG recommendations on cert grants have led some to refer to the SG as “the 10th justice.” At this Forum, two former SGs—one appointed by President Trump during his first term, the other by President Biden—will join Distinguished Scholar in Residence Vanita Gupta ’01 to discuss the role of the SG, current Supreme Court practice (including the Court’s increased use of its emergency docket), and career advice for students who may be interested in Supreme Court and appellate court practice.
- , Partner in Charge, Washington, DC, office, Jones Day; Solicitor General of the United States, 2017–20
- , Distinguished Scholar in Residence and Director, Center for Law and Public Trust, Law; Associate Attorney General of the United States, 2021–24
- , Partner and head of Supreme Court and Appellate Practice Group, Cooley LLP; Solicitor General of the United States, 2021–25