On Tuesday, September 26, the ALA will
host a discussion with author Joel Cohen on his research into how judges decide
cases. The event is titled “Blindfolds Off: Judges on How They Decide,” and
Cohen will share his insights into an unexpected human range of judicial
philosophies, practicalities, and biases, a rare perspective he gleaned in
researching and writing his book, also titled “Blindfolds Off: Judges on How
They Decide.”
In the book, Cohen
interviewed more than a dozen members of the federal bench, including judges of
the United States Court of Appeals for the Second and Ninth Circuits and the
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. All of them
provided candid, revealing, and personal assessments of their approaches to
rulings and decisions in high-profile and complex cases.
Cohen has published several
books, including Broken Scales: Reflections on Injustice, as well as works of fiction and books on
religion. His articles regularly appear in Slate, New York Law Journal,
Huffington Post, ABA Journal, and other publications. A former federal
prosecutor and currently an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School, Cohen
counsels individuals and corporations in criminal matters, ethical issues, and
disciplinary proceedings. In July 2017, he was part of the appellate team that
convinced the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to reverse
the conviction of the former Speaker of the New York State Assembly, a case
headed to the United States Supreme Court.
The event will take place
at the Union League Club of Chicago (65 West Jackson Boulevard), beginning at
noon and running until 1:30 p.m. Attendees to the event will receive one hour
of MCLE credit.
For more information about
any of the events and to register, please click here.
DISCLAIMER: The Appellate
Lawyers Association does not provide legal services or legal advice.
Discussions of legal principles and authority, including, but not limited to,
constitutional provisions, statutes, legislative enactments, court rules, case
law, and common-law doctrines are for informational purposes only and do not
constitute legal advice.