James Madison Lecture

NYU School of Law invites you to the James Madison Lecture on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge, located at 40 Washington Square South. The lecture, "Judging an Identity Crisis: The Judicial Role, Democracy, and the Melting Pot" will be presented by the Honorable Rosalie Silberman Abella, retired justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

There are many public policy issues clamoring for constitutional attention, some new and some perennial. One of the most persistent engages the relationship between courts, legislatures and public opinion. This relationship is at the heart of the democratic firmament, yet developing a consensus about how it works is increasingly elusive. One of the underlying questions in determining democracy's reach is determining who is - or should be - in its grasp. And this engages questions of identity, equality and fairness. And this brings us back to the democratic triad of courts, legislatures and public opinion. Who should decide these defining justice issues? And what or whom should they take into consideration? These are timeless questions, but these times make the need to address them particularly magnetic.

This event has been approved to offer one New York State CLE credit in the category of Areas of Professional Practice. The credit is both transitional and non-transitional; it is appropriate for both experienced and newly admitted attorneys.

A reception will immediately follow the lecture.

We look forward to your joining us.

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