In Federalist No. 78, Alexander Hamilton famously declared the judiciary to be the "least dangerous" branch of government, because (as later paraphrased by Justice Frankfurter) it possesses "neither the purse nor the sword" to enforce its decisions. The courts' authority, therefore, rests on the public's understanding of—and ultimate confidence in—their opinions. And because the primary link between the courts and the public is the written word, the need for effective legal writing becomes all the more important. This panel will explore the job of communicating the work of the courts to the public and consider the various roles of judges, the media, practitioners, and legal scholars.
Business meeting at program conclusion.