ACS Presents: Book Talk with Hon. David Tatel

Date: November 18, 2026

Time: 5:00-6:00 PM

Location: FH 216

RSVP: https://forms.gle/963iTFcgLg4a9pUa9 

Join ACS for a conversation with Judge David S. Tatel, retired judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, for a conversation about his memoir, Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice. Published in 2024, Vision reflects on Judge Tatel’s life in the law, his experience navigating a distinguished legal career – serving three decades on the D.C. Circuit – while losing his sight, and his evolving understanding of blindness and disability. Drawing on his time on the D.C. Circuit and a career devoted to civil rights and public service, Judge Tatel will discuss themes from the book, including his experience as a judge and the relationship between his personal experiences and his understanding of justice. Snacks will be served.

Judge David S. Tatel served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit from 1994 until his retirement in 2024, succeeding then-Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg. He heard major cases involving environmental law, voting rights, and national security, including Massachusetts v. EPA, Shelby County v. Holder, and litigation concerning detainees at Guantánamo Bay. Several of his influential opinions were later reviewed by the Supreme Court, including his dissent in Massachusetts v. EPA and his opinion upholding key provisions of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County. Before joining the bench, Judge Tatel had a distinguished career in public service, including as Director of the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

Reading the book before the event is encouraged but not required.