First Amendment seminar to feature Judge Adalberto Jordan
A Florida federal court judge recently said “no thanks” to the possibility of replacing the late Justice Antonin Scalia on the nation’s highest court. That’s good news for fans of a popular Florida Bar seminar held during the Annual Convention. It means Judge Adalberto Jordan, of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, will be returning as one of the veteran panelists.
“First Amendment and the U.S. Supreme Court,” sponsored by the Media & Communications Law Committee is set for Friday, June 17, from 2-4 p.m. at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Panelists will analyze some of the most recent and most controversial First Amendment cases decided by the Court in 2015-16.
“This will be one of our most exciting seminars in its near-30-year history,” said Thomas R. Julin, a partner at Hunton & Williams in Miami, who will moderate the program.
Julin said the “special-edition seminar” will give attendees a close look at how the unexpected death of Justice Scalia and the impending appointment of his successor might impact First Amendment jurisprudence for generations to come.
“Justice Antonin Scalia advocated First Amendment protection of money in elections and violent video games,” Julin said. “He blocked compulsory public employee union dues, upheld the government’s power to advocate its own views, and approved placement of religious monuments on public property. Last term, in dissent, he chastised The Florida Bar for imposing a ‘wildly disproportionate restriction upon speech’ of judicial candidates. His life made a difference to the First Amendment, and his passing will too.”
The panel of court watchers includes: Judge Jordan; U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks; Third District Court of Appeal retired Chief Judge Alan R. Schwartz; University of Miami law professor Lili Levi; University of Florida professor Lyrissa Lidsky; Florida International University law professor Howard Wasserman; Carlton Fields Jorden Burt partner Richard J. Ovelmen; and Hunton & Williams partner Jamie Z. Isani.
They’ll discuss how they think Justice Scalia would have voted, who his successor might be, and how that successor will change the fate of the First Amendment and the nation.
Jordan, a former federal district judge who was confirmed by the Senate 94-5 for the 11th Circuit in 2012, was under consideration to replace Scalia, but withdrew his name in March citing a “personal, family situation” involving his mother.
