The Forum 2025-26
The Forum, sponsored by Latham & Watkins, presents discussions on current events, legal and public policy issues, and intellectual ideas. The programs feature experts from within and outside the Law School, and time is generally allowed for questions from the audience.
Fall 2025 Schedule
The Antitrust Revolution
Wednesday, September 10, 1:10–2:25 p.m.
Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge
Antitrust is undergoing a profound reexamination, and enjoying a surge of support across the political spectrum. What does antitrust's return to the spotlight mean for American business, and in particular for Big Tech? Are we witnessing a bipartisan shift in competition policy? Do we need antitrust reforms? And what lies ahead? Join FTC Commissioner Mark Meador, named to the commission by President Trump and a prominent supporter of vigorous antitrust enforcement, in conversation with Professor Daniel Francis. Time will be left at the end of the conversation for audience questions.
- Mark R. Meador, Commissioner, Federal Trade Commission
- Daniel Francis, JSD ’20, Assistant Professor of Law, NYU Law
Book Talk: Lawless, by Leah Litman
Wednesday, September 17, 1:10–2:25 p.m.
Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge
The title of Professor Leah Litman’s new book—Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes—makes her point of view clear from the get-go. And, according to the New York Times, the book “renders dense constitutional analysis into something urgent and accessible—a field guide for navigating our current constitutional crisis.” At this Forum, Litman will present Lawless and talk about it with one of her Strict Scrutiny podcast co-hosts, Professor Melissa Murray.
Co-hosted by the Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center, NYU Law
- Leah Litman, Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School
- Melissa Murray, Frederick I. and Grace Stokes Professor of Law and Faculty Director, Birnbaum Women’s Leadership Center, NYU Law
All the President’s Power: What’s Left of Checks and Balances?
Wednesday, October 22, 1:10–2:25 p.m.
Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge
With a series of recent decisions, the US Supreme Court has invested the president and executive branch with a level of power and autonomy unprecedented in American history. From the scope of immunity granted in Trump v. United States to a collection of rulings—some final, some provisional—on the president’s right to remove heads of independent agencies, shutter entire operations, decline to disburse congressionally approved funds, and more, one cannot help asking: Is the notion of checks and balances—so long a foundational premise of Con Law and civics classes—effectively a dead letter? Are there any meaningful constraints left on the ability of a president to do as he pleases? At this Forum, a panel of experts on presidential power will attempt to provide answers.
Co-hosted by the Reiss Center on Law and Security, NYU Law
- Bob Bauer, Professor of Practice and Distinguished Senior Fellow, Reiss Center on Law and Security, NYU Law; White House Counsel, 2009–11
- Michael W. McConnell, Visiting Professor of Law, NYU Law; Professor and Director of Constitutional Law Center, Stanford Law School; Judge, US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 2002–09
- Gillian Metzger, Professor, Columbia Law School; Acting Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Legal Counsel, US Department of Justice, 2023–24
- Trevor Morrison, Professor, Dean Emeritus, and Faculty Co-Director, Reiss Center on Law and Security, NYU Law; Associate White House Counsel, 2009