Member News

Pamela Karlan Joins DOJ Civil Rights Division

February 12, 2021

Pamela S. Karlan has joined the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, serving as principal deputy assistant attorney general. She was elected to ALI Council in 2019 and will take a temporary leave of absence from the Council during her time with the DOJ.

Prior to joining the Department of Justice, Karlan was the Kenneth and Harle Montgomery Professor of Public Interest Law and a founder and co-director of the Supreme Court Litigation Clinic at Stanford Law School. Her primary scholarship involves constitutional litigation, particularly with respect to voting rights and anti-discrimination law.

Learn more here [subscription required].

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Kneedler Retires After 160 SCOTUS Arguments

After presenting his 160th—and final—argument before the U.S. Supreme Court, ALI member Edwin S. Kneedler, the longest-serving deputy solicitor general in modern history, received a rare and emotional tribute: a standing ovation from the justices and audience alike. Known for his unmatched legal acumen, nonpartisan integrity, and commitment to the rule of law, Kneedler spent more than four decades representing the United States before the Court. His retirement marks the end of an era, and his legacy stands in sharp contrast to growing concerns about politicization in government legal work. Described by colleagues across administrations as a "national treasure" and the "embodiment of the government lawyer ideal," Kneedler leaves behind a legacy of quiet excellence, humility, and unwavering public service.

Read the coverage in The New York Times (subscription required).

ABA Spotlights John Bruce Lewis

The American Bar Association interviewed John Bruce Lewis as part of its "Voice of Experience" series. Read the full spotlight on the ABA's website.

Justice Goodwin Liu to Deliver 2025 USD School of Law Commencement Address

ALI Council member and California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin Liu will address University of San Diego (USD) School of Law graduates at the 68th commencement on Saturday, May 17.