Co-sponsored with the Notre Dame Federalist Society
Three state supreme court justices will join us for a panel exploring the differences between state courts and federal courts. Justices Clint Bolick (AZ), Jamie Grosshans (FL), and Brian Zahra (MI) will address litigating in state supreme courts, the different approaches states can take on constitutional issues, separation of powers, and a litany of other topics. Professor Nicole Garnett, Associate Dean for External Engagement and John P. Murphy Foundation Professor of Law at Notre Dame Law School, will serve as moderator.
Hon. Clint Bolick: Justice Clint Bolick serves on the Arizona Supreme Court. He was appointed by Governor Doug Ducey on January 6, 2016. Previously, he was the as the Vice President for Litigation at the Goldwater Institute. Bolick has authored several books, most recently Death Grip: Loosening the Law’s Stranglehold Over Economic Liberty (2011) and David’s Hammer: The Case for an Activist Judiciary (2007). Bolick teaches Constitutional Law as an adjunct professor at Arizona State University School of Law and serves as a research fellow with the Hoover Institution.
Hon. Jamie Grosshans: Justice Jamie R. Grosshans was appointed to the Florida Supreme Court on September 14, 2020 by Governor Ron DeSantis. Previously she was appointed to the Fifth District Court of Appeal in 2018 by Governor Rick Scott. Prior to her appointment to the appellate court, she served as an Orange County Court Judge in the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida where she presided over criminal and civil matters. Justice Grosshans regularly speaks to lawyers and law students on topics such as challenges in the practice of law, the role of judges, professionalism and respect in the legal profession, criminal law, and family law.
Hon. Brian Zahra: Justice Brian K. Zahra was appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to the Michigan Supreme Court on January 14, 2011. The people of Michigan subsequently elected him in November 2012 to a partial term and then re-elected him in November 2014 to a full term. Justice Zahra has been active in many civic and charitable organizations, including Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, Kiwanis Club International, Leadership Detroit, the Knights of Columbus, the Maltese American Community Club, and the Maltese American Benevolent Society, of which he is a past officer. He is a former board member and officer of the Catholic Lawyers Society, and past officer of the Federalist Society, where he currently serves as a member of the Advisory Board to the Michigan chapter. He also serves as the judicial advisor to the Hillsdale College Federalist Society Chapter.