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Georgetown Law Weekly The Student Newspaper of Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. “Uninhibited, robust, and wide-open” VOLUME 40 MONDAY, OCT. 20 TO FRIDAY, OCT. 24, 2003 NUMBER 7 Professors Durbin defends Democrats on nominees by Jenny Cieplak, 2L debate Law Weekly Last Tuesday, the American reform of Constitution Society (ACS) present- ed Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) in an annual keynote address on class action Congress and the Courts. The Senator's topic was "The Right Wing lawsuits Agenda - Can Our Court System Survive?" Senator Durbin, a member by Katie Tenney, 1L Law Weekly of the Senate Judiciary Committee, used his experience as a practitioner Mass tort reform was the subject and a Senator to deliver his answer of the breakfast panel hosted to this question. Wednesday morning by the Federalist Senator Durbin graduated from Society, and featuring torts experts GULC, and also received degrees in Kenneth Feinberg and Michael economics and foreign service from Horowitz. Feinberg, an adjunct pro- the main campus. He has become fessor at GULC, is currently serving as well known for reaching across special master of the Sept. 11 Victim party lines when the chance arises, Photo courtesy Lan Hoang but sticking to principles when they Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) makes his case concerning the judicial nomination Compensation Fund, while Horowitz, and confirmation process during his speech last week at GULC. also a GULC adjunct professor, is are in danger of being compromised. director of the Hudson Institute's Lisa Brown, the acting executive held its first National Conference handshake that all nominees know, Project for Civil Justice Reform. The director of ACS, was on hand to this summer. but mentioned that they are usually two panelists engaged in an energetic introduce the Senator. She offered The Senator began his speech in unwilling to admit agreement with debate, moderated by Professor Heidi praise for the Georgetown ACS praise of ACS as well, saying "I'm the group's conservative and liber- Li Feldman, focusing on the nature of Chapter, the founding chapter of the glad this organization exists." He tarian orthodoxy. Durbin said that the mass torts problem and suggesting organization. ACS was founded in spoke about how Bush's nominees he asked the judicial nominees possible reforms. 2001 to counteract the prevailing have all "punched their ticket" with whether they agreed with the Feinberg led off the discussion by conservative vision of law that exists the Federalist Society - a conserva- Federalist mission, and Alabama telling the assembled group that he in many courtrooms and legislatures tive organization that comprises Attorney General William Pryor was "always gets nervous anytime people around the country. Since its found- only one percent of lawyers nation- the only one to answer yes. ing, the organization has grown wide. He compared Federalist See DURBIN, page 4 See MASS TORT, page 5 swiftly around the country, and it Society membership to a secret SBA introduces new GULC tradition - GULC alumni first Oktoberfest on the quad a winner and students by Amy Messigian, 1L & Erin Lien, 1L Law Weekly raise $6K at Last Wednesday, as the leaves golf outing changed on the trees and a cool fall wind blew through the quad, scores by Jim Day, 1E of students attended the Guest Writer Octoberfest keg on the quad spon- sored by SBA and BarBri, complete Law Center students and alumni with German foods, German beer, from local D.C. firms and organiza- and a German band. According to tions played in the first Alaina Dartt, SBA 2L Delegate and student/alumni golf tournament last Chief of Staff, SBA held the event as Monday. The outing was held at the a social break for students mid-way prestigious Tournament Players through the semester, and is consid- Club at Avenel in Potomac, ering making Octoberfest an annual Maryland. The event was sponsored event. by the SBA and raised over $6,000 for Photo by Amy Messigian, 1L the Loan Repayment Assistance The event featured an authen- The Bavaria Three played last week at the first annual Oktoberfest. tic, lederhosen clad polka band, The Program (LRAP). Bavaria Three, and included a per- Bavarian pretzels, German bottles of various beers and a vari- Teams of four played in a formance by the Law Center's a- sausages, sauerkraut, onion-quiche ety of sodas. "scramble" format, meaning that the cappella group, Moral Hazard. bread, potato soup, and cookies. The event had a strong turnout, team selected the best shot of four Feather plastic hats were handed Beverage service included warm with many students partaking in from each position until the ball was apple cider, Heineken beer on tap, out, and students were offered See OKTOBERFEST, page 4 See GOLF, page 5 Alumni come back for Get your heart broken Fear & Loathing in GULC Reunion at the Love Cafe Las Vegas - GULC style Page 3 Page 7 Page 11 PAGE 2 GEORGETOWN LAW WEEKLY NEWSNEWS MONDAY, OCT. 20 TO FRIDAY, OCT. 24, 2003 BriefsBriefsBriefsBrie fsBriefsBriefs!BriefsBr Human Rights in Columbia World of Choices Presenting a panel on The Mark your calendars for the Struggle for Human Rights in upcoming World of Choices Program, Colombia, featuring Jose Humberto presented by Career Services, OPICS Torres, Comite de Solidaridad con and the Office of Alumni Affairs. It Presos Politicos, with panelists begins on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 9 a.m. in Andrew Fandino, Peace Brigades the atrium. This is an excellent net- International, and Charlie Roberts, working opportunity. RSVP to OCS Colombia Human Rights Network. to [email protected] or call The event will take place on 202-662-9300. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 3:30 p.m. in the Moot Court Room. Co-Sponsored by: La Alianza del Derecho, CAROLA, Amnesty International, and Want to Get Published? International Law Students. Georgetown University’s Center for Democracy and the Third Sector invites article submissions for the first edition of its newsletter. The newslet- Looking for a Partner? ter will give substantive treatment to You can have several while enjoy- important themes related to democrat- ing the game of bridge. The bridge ic governance and the third sector. For club meets weekly from 6 p.m until the first issue, we are seeking submis- tiredness sets in on Thursday evenings sions of 800-2000 words on the themes in the cafeteria. No previous knowl- of trust or representation and their edge of the game required - you will relationship to democracy and the be taught. Feel free to bring friends third sector. Deadline for submissions and food. is Friday, Nov. 14, 2003. For more details, please e-mail [email protected]. After Lawrence v. Texas Crossword solution on page 4 ACS presents a panel on same-sex relationship recognition, featuring Washington Area Matt Coles of the ACLU Lesbian and Lawyers for the Arts Gay Rights Project, Winnie Join WALA for several CLE events Stachelberg of the Human Rights this month. CLE events are a great Campaign, and Lisa Mottet of the way to network and learn more about Alumni Mentor Public Interest Career Fair National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. a field of law. The first event will be on Conversations Equal Justice Works will host the The discussion will be held today at 4 Oct. 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will The OPICS office’s Alumni largest annual gathering of public p.m. on the 12th floor of Gewirz. A discuss common legal issues facing Mentor Conversation series continues interest and government employers in reception will follow. newly minted and young non-profit with a discussion of Refugee and the country on Oct. 23 and 24 at the organizations. Check out Asylum law this Tuesday, Oct. 21. Washington Hilton. Come meet with www.wala.org for more information. Join us from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in Room employers informally and attend 342 for an hour of candid conversation numerous scheduled career panels. Mass Schedule and inspiration. Registration is on-line at www.equaljus- Sunday Mass will be celebrated in ticeworks.org and must be completed the Chapel at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Daily Player's Club by Oct. 17. masses will continued to be held daily The GULC Player's Club, the law at 12:15 p.m. and Mondays and center's newly formed poker club will Bar Admissions Process Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in the Chapel. be holding its first meeting of the year Come to a panel on bar admis- Thursday, Oct. 23 at 8:30 in the cafete- sions to learn about any state bar. Exam Review ria. Players of all skill levels are invit- Learn from a former D.C. bar examin- Exam review for Fall 2002 and ed to join. Come to play cards, learn er what scorers look for in bar exams. Spring and Summer 2003 begins Learn to Outline! the game, or meet other members of Hear recent graduates discuss their Wednesday, Oct. 1 and runs through First Year academic orientation the law center community who share experience of applying for and taking Wednesday Oct. 29 in Room 322. continues with a presentation on an interest in poker. Nominations for the bar. Learn about cases relating to Please wait until then to make any “Outlining First Year Courses.” officer elections will be conducted this the Character and Fitness Evaluation. new requests to obtain your exams. Professor Jill Ramsfield and upper- night only. Those interested in holding All this and more on Wednesday, Oct. class students will discuss the best out- a position on the executive board who 22 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.