October 18, 2006 — Over the past four decades the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law’s annual William H. Leary Lecture Series has hosted a wide range of insightful and thought provoking guest speakers. In continuation of this long standing tradition, Richard H. Fallon Jr., the Ralph S. Tyler Jr. Professor of Constitutional Law at Harvard Law School will talk about “Executive Power and the Political Constitution,” Thursday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Sutherland Moot Courtroom at the law school.

Professor Fallon says the lecture involves the constitutional obligation of the Executive Branch to obey judicial decisions. “For example, if a court orders the Executive Branch to release a prisoner, and if the President conscientiously believes the order to be mistaken as a matter of law, must the President abide by or enforce the judgment? Although the topic as thus defined is relatively narrow, I believe that examining it may yield some general insights not only about timely issues of constitutional law, but also about our constitutional order more generally,” said Fallon.

The event is free, and the public is invited to attend. A reception will follow the lecture in the Rosenblatt Foyer providing the opportunity to further discuss the presented topic. Anyone planning to attend the reception is asked to R.S.V.P. to Miriam Lovin, Special Events Coordinator, at (801) 581-7356 or lovinm@law.utah.edu.

Parking is available for guests in the parking lot just southeast of the law school with additional parking in the Rice-Eccles Stadium lot directly south of the law school. TRAX conveniently stops on the west side the Rice Eccles Stadium lot and provides easy walking access to the event as well. As always, we encourage car pooling and public transportation as an option to assist in the alleviation of parking congestion.

About the William H. Leary Lecture:

The Leary Lecture Series is named for the former dean of the college who served from 1916 to 1950. The annual William H. Leary Lecture Series commenced in 1966 hosting Chief Justice Roger J. Traynor and has since featured world-renowned professors, Court Justices, and other legal professionals. The topics have showcased all facets of law and have focused on current issues of the day. As one of the longest standing recurring events at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law we look forward to heading into our fifth decade of delivering quality lecturers while simultaneously providing the ongoing opportunity for the public to be involved.