Lunch with Lawyers
The Will of the People: How Public Opinion has Influenced the Supreme Court and Shaped the Meaning of the Constitution
In his 2009 book The Will of the People, Barry Friedman challenges the assumption, held by opponents and defenders of judicial power alike, that the Supreme Court is aloof from ordinary politics and the popular will. In a forthcoming law review article, Larry Baum and Neal Devins argue that the Supreme Court is more likely influenced by elite opinion than by public opinion. This one hour program will provide a forum for Professors Friedman, Baum, and Devins to discuss the role of public opinion in shaping Supreme Court decision-making.
Panelists:
Larry Baum, Ohio State University, Political Science
Neal Devins, William & Mary Law School
Barry Friedman, NYU Law School