This reading group will explore decisions made by state attorneys general in the light of the 2023 decisions of the United State Supreme Court in the areas of abortion, guns and climate change. As opposed to focusing on federal litigation and advocacy, the course will focus on how state attorneys general are using state law and state constitutions as they deal with these explosive issues. Because attorneys general are making these decisions on a daily basis the contours of the syllabus will be subject to "real time" changes.
The class will be highly interactive, with Professor Tierney and invited guests exploring in depth the actual decision making process of state attorneys general.
We will meet on Tuesdays from 3:45-5:45 PM in WCC 3038. We will meet January 30, February 13 and 27, March 5 and 19, and April 2, 2024
A key part of this course will be you sharing with the rest of the group the things about which you are most passionate. Throughout the semester, you are encouraged to suggest readings and discussion topics to Professor Tierney (jtierney@law.harvard.edu) and our Teaching Fellow, Bobby Isbell (risbell@jd24.law.harvard.edu).
State attorneys general have a long history and broad authority. In order to grasp the scope of their options when dealing with abortion, guns and climate change it is necessary to have a core grounding of their jurisdiction and organization.