Teachers Law School
Participate in the annual Teachers Law School sponsored by the UNO Political Science Department and ABOTA to get a crash course in the law, July 27-28, 2023.
The two-day Teachers Law School will include a variety of lectures, discussions, and activities related to both federal and state court topics. Keynote speakers will be a variety legal professionals & volunteers from federal and state court judges, lawyers, and legal scholars.
This year’s topics will include discussions on the free speech, the criminal justice system, and highlight the events of the James Scurlock & Jake Gardner criminal proceedings. Other topics include the differences between state and federal court, additional fundamental rights discussions, civil law, international law, and others!
This event is designed for high school social studies teachers and is appropriate for both government and history curriculum. Participants will also receive a stipend of $100 for their attendance. The event may qualify as professional development credits.
The Teachers Law School is FREE to attend, but registration is required. Please register by Monday, July 17.
Limited number of seats available and are allocated on a first come basis. Parking, meals, and materials will be provided.
AGENDA
Thursday, July 27
8:00 A.M. | Introductions & Breakfast with an Overview of the Program: Carson Holloway, Chair of Department of Political Science, Professor, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Judge Joseph Bataillon, Senior U.S. District Court Judge, and Zach Wojtowicz, Program Facilitator
8:30 A.M. | The Founders and Freedom of Speech, Part 1: Dr. Carson Holloway, Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha Political Science
9:30 A.M. | Break
9:40 A.M. | The State and Federal Court Distinction: Hon. Robert F. Rossiter, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for Nebraska
10:50 A.M. | Break
11:00 A.M. | The Prosecutorial Process in State and Federal Criminal Courts: Arrest to Trial: Robert Sigler, Douglas County Deputy County Attorney and former Assistant U.S. Attorney
11:50 A.M. | Break
12:00-1:00 P.M. | Working Lunch | The Lost Sons of Omaha: The Scurlock shooting, an intimate look at the criminal justice system
Joe Sexton, Author, ProPublica Senior Editor
1:00-2:30 P.M. | Substantative and Procedural Criminal Law Analysis: Scurlock shooting charging decisions by the County Attorney and the Grand Jury
Leigh Ellis, Associate Professor, Creighton University School of Law
2:30 P.M. | Break
2:40-3:30 P.M. | Systemic Analysis: Lessons learned from the lives of James Scurlock and Jake Gardner
Ryan Spohn, Ph.D., Professor, UNO School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; Director, Nebraska Center of Justice Research
Friday, July 28
8:00 A.M. | Check-in & Breakfast: Judge Joseph Bataillon, Senior U.S. District Court Judge and Zach Wojtowicz, Program Facilitator
8:30 A.M. | The Founders and Freedom of Speech, Part 2: Dr. Carson Holloway, Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha Political Science
9:30 A.M. | Break
9:40 A.M. | International Judicial Systems: The Internation War Crimes Tribunal
Hon. Joe Bataillon, Senior U.S. District Court Judge
10:40 A.M. | Break
10:50 A.M. | Pretrial Discovery Process, Civil and Criminal Litigation
American Board of Trial Attorneys Panel Discussion
11:50 A.M. | Break
12:00 P.M. | Working Lunch, Employment Discrimination in Nebraska: Kelly Brandon, Fiedler Law Firm, P.L.C.
1:15 P.M. | Comparative Communication Law – United States v. Europe: Dr. Jody Neathery-Castro, Professor, University of Nebraska at Omaha Political Science
2:15-2:30 P.M. | Closing Remarks:Judge Joseph Bataillon, Senior U.S. District Court Judge and Zach Wojtowicz, Program Facilitator