The Military Commissions Act of 2009: 
Back to the Future or the Fix for a Flawed System?
Friday, February 19, 2010
Sponsored by the University of Toledo Law Review
Registration extended to Friday, February 12
In October 2009, President Obama signed the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, which included a package of important changes to the Military Commissions Act of 2006. This symposium will address the legal and practical consequences of the revisions and what they mean in light of the recent decision to try several high-profile terror suspects in Article III courts, and others by military commission.
The current Military Commissions Act was predicated on the idea of fixing a flawed system, one that betrayed core American values. Questions remain over the constitutionality of the Act itself, the costs and benefits of commissions versus courtrooms, and the creation of a two-tier system of justice. Experts from academia, government, private practice, and the judiciary will debate these and other questions in this day-long event. Panels include: A View From the Bench, Perspectives from the Frontline, and The 2009 Military Commissions Act - the Fix for a Flawed System
Schedule
| 8:15 – 8:45 a.m | REGISTRATION |
| 8:45 – 8:50 a.m. | OPENING REMARKS Douglas E. Ray, Dean, The University of Toledo College of Law |
| 8:50 – 9 a.m. | INTRODUCTION TO THE ISSUE: James G. Carr, Chief Judge, Northern District of Ohio |
| 9 – 10:15 a.m. | PANEL 1: A VIEW FROM THE BENCH Moderator: Hon. James G. Carr, Chief Judge, Northern District of Ohio Panelists: Hon. Gerald E. Rosen, Chief Judge, Eastern District of Michigan Hon. Marcia G. Cooke, Judge, Southern District of Florida |
| 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. | BREAK |
| 10:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | PANEL 2: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE FRONT LINE Moderator: Jonathan Witmer-Rich, Assistant Professor of Law, Cleveland State University Panelists: Justin Herdman, Asst. U.S. Attorney, U.S. Atty’s Office-Cleveland Joshua L. Dratel, Defense Attorney, Law Offices of Joshua Dratel Darin Thompson, Asst. Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Ohio Vicki Werneke, Asst. Federal Public Defender, Northern District of Ohio |
| 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. | LUNCH & KEYNOTE SPEAKER John Q. Barrett, Professor of Law, St. John’s University School of Law |
| 1:30 – 3 p.m. | PANEL 3: THE 2009 MCA – THE FIX FOR A FLAWED SYSTEM? Moderator: Robert N. Strassfeld, Professor of Law, Case Western University School of Law; Director, Institute for Global Security Law and Policy Panelists: Capt. Glenn M. Sulmasy, Professor of Law, U.S. Coast Guard Academy Amos Guiora, Professor of Law, S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah John Rizzo, former Acting General Counsel, Central Intelligence Agency |
Location
The program will be held at The University of Toledo College of Law Auditorium. Directions and lodging information.
Fees and Registration
$75 for 4.5 Hours of CLE
(application pending with the Supreme Court of Ohio)
Students may attend the symposium free of charge
Lunch available (limited seating; advance registration required)
Lunch sponsored by the Federal Bar Association’s Northern District of Ohio Chapter.
Register by Tuesday, February 9, 2010. Mail or fax this form, or call 419.530.2962.