What: Symposium on historic Supreme Court case

When: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 24

Where: Room 25, University of Minnesota Law School, 229 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis

Who: Nation's leading constitutional law scholars

Leading constitutional law scholars from around the country will gather at the University of Minnesota Law School on Monday, Feb. 24, for a symposium marking the 200th anniversary of the Supreme Court case, Marbury v. Madison.

"Marbury at 200: A Bicentennial Celebration of Marbury v. Madison" runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday in room 25, University of Minnesota Law School, 229 19th Ave. S. During the symposium, law scholars will analyze the Marbury v. Madison decision and its continuing importance to the nation today.

The Marbury case is significant in U.S. history because it established the idea that it is the role of the judiciary to interpret the meaning of laws and to serve as a co-equal branch of the U.S. government. This 1803 case provided the critical underpinnings for judicial review, upon which U.S. courts operate today.

"It is the foundation case for judicial power in the United States. It is the first case upholding power of judicial review. It's the basis on which all judicial power rests," said Michael Stokes Paulsen, symposium organizer and law professor at the University of Minnesota.

The symposium includes three panel discussions. A schedule follows.

* 9 a.m. Introductions by Michael Stokes Paulsen.* 9:05 a.m. Welcome by University of Minnesota Law School Dean Alex M. Johnson.* 9:15 a.m. The first panel discussion, "Marbury as History," begins following a keynote address by William Van Alstyne, who was named one of the 40 most frequently cited legal scholars in the 20th century by the Journal of Legal History. Panelists who will discuss the case's history are Sylvia Snowiss, political science professor, California State University at Northridge; Sanford Levinson, law and government professor, University of Texas Law School; and Larry D. Kramer, associate dean for research and academics and law professor, New York University Law School. Guy-Uriel Charles, associate professor of law, University of Minnesota, will moderate.* 11:15 a.m. "Marbury's Errors?" Panelists are Elena Kagan, law professor, Harvard University; John Copeland Nagle, law professor, Notre Dame Law School; Edward Hartnett, law professor, Seton Hall Law School; and Richard H. Fallon Jr., law professor, Harvard. Adam Samaha, a visiting scholar at the University of Minnesota, will moderate.* 2:15 p.m. "Marbury at 200: Judicial Supremacy Today." Panelists are Daniel Farber, associate dean for faculty research and development and law professor, University of Minnesota; Lawrence A. Alexander, law professor, University of San Diego; Patrick O. Gudridge, law professor, University of Miami; and Dale Carpenter, associate professor of law, University of Minnesota. Shayna M. Sigman, associate professor of law, University of Minnesota Law School, will moderate.* 3:30 p.m. Marbury V. Madison 200th Birthday Bash, reception in the law school's Auerbach Lounge.

The conference is organized by Constitutional Commentary, one of the few faculty-edited law journals in the country. Presentations given at this symposium will be published in a future issue of the journal.

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