Journal of Law and Liberty symposium examines whether law can survive its own language

Journal of Law and Liberty symposium examines whether law can survive its own language (VIDEO)

 The Journal of Law and Liberty recently held its Spring symposium, entitled "Plain Meaning in Context: Can Law Survive Its Own Language?" The keynote speech was given by Richard Epstein, Laurence A. Tisch Professor of Law. His talk, "Plain Meaning Mostly, Right Mostly: A Modest Theory of Interpretivism," addressed the attitudes toward interpretation that should be taken with constitutional, statutory, and contractual materials. Three panel discussions followed, featuring several NYU Law professors. The first panel, moderated by Burt Neuborne, Inez Milholland Professor of Civil Liberties, focused on the broad question of when plain meaning works, and when it breaks down as a concept. The second panel, which began with an introduction by Samuel Estreicher, Dwight D. Opperman Professor of Law, included a discussion on the influence of language in administrative law and was moderated by Roderick Hills Jr., William T. Comfort, III Professor of Law. The final panel, moderated by Amy Adler, Emily Kempin Professor of Law, examined the plain meaning context of intellectual property law and included Professor Barton Beebe as one of the speakers.
 

Watch the video of keynote speaker Professor Richard Epstein (2 hr, 12 min):