Events

Fall 2024 Speaker Series: Democracy at Risk

Americans have long taken for granted a baseline level of democracy and the rule of law. We have often fallen short of fully realizing those ideals, but for most of the past century there were few worries that the country might fall into authoritarian rule. Today, many worry that we have entered an era of democratic backsliding. The 2024 election heightens those fears for many, but the problems facing our democracy are more deeply rooted. This speaker series will address those fears and consider possible responses.

All events will take place from 12:50-2:00 pm in 105 Law Building at UC Berkeley School of Law. 

September 19, 2024

Introductory Session: The State of American Democracy

Guest Speakers

Eric Schickler, Professor of Political Science at UC Berkeley, Jeffrey & Ashley McDermott Endowed Chair

David Grewal, Professor of Law at UC Berkeley School of Law

Jonathan Gould, Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley School of Law


September 26, 2024

Democracy, the Press, and Social Media

Guest Speakers

Pam Samuelson, Professor of Law and Information at UC Berkeley School of Law

Jonathan Glater, Professor at UC Berkeley School of Law

David Barstow, Reva and David Logan Distinguished Chair in Investigative Journalism at UC Berkeley School of Journalism


October 10, 2024

Democracy, Elections, and the Courts

Guest Speakers

Emily Zhang, Assistant Professor at UC Berkeley School of Law

Orin Kerr, Professor at UC Berkeley School of Law, William G. Simon Professor of Law

Jacob Grumbach, Associate professor at the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley


October 17, 2024

Presidential Power and Democracy

Guest Speakers

Dan Farber, Sho Sato Professor of Law at UC Berkeley School of Law

Sharon Jacobs, Professor at UC Berkeley School of Law

John Yoo, Emanuel Heller Professor of Law at UC Berkeley School of Law


October 31, 2024

Democracy and Judicial Power

Guest Speakers

Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of Law at UC Berkeley School of Law, Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law

Goodwin Liu, Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court

No recording available.