Yale Law School Events

John Fabian Witt, Formalism in Historical Perspective

This workshop takes up some of the central problems, methods, and ideas that have shaped the theory and study of the law over the course of the last century, by scholars, jurists, and reformers. Ideas to be explored include the proper roles of fairness and efficiency in law, the nature of legal authority and interpretation, the relationship between law and politics, and the intersections between law and other disciplines or modes of inquiry, including sociology, psychology, economics, history, and philosophy.

Student participants will engage in a series of experiential activities, including impromptu speeches with guided feedback, physical and vocal technique training, and an introduction to communication behavior theory.  Participants will develop essential skills for engaging an audience and learn techniques for enhancing professional presence. 

This workshop is a three-hour session available during morning and afternoon blocks over January 30, 31, and February 1.

Khiara Bridges: Professor of Law, UC Berkeley School of Law will discuss her recent piece in HLR forward.

In person and via zoom 

Every 1st and 3rd Thursday between 2 PM and 4 PM, research librarians from the Lillian Goldman Law Library will be set up in the Derald H. Ruttenberg Dining Hall to chat about your research issues, paper ideas, and questions about library resources. When you stop by for research help, you can pick up a voucher for a free small coffee or tea, redeemable at Café Law.