WHAT:
The U.S. Supreme Court opens its new term today with a new Chief Justice at the helm. To kick off the new term, the National Lawyers Guild and the Center for Law and Social Justice at Thomas Jefferson School of Law will co-sponsor a "First Monday" program featuring well known defense attorney Gerald Uelmen, who will discuss the cases on the Court's docket this term.

WHO:
Gerald F. Uelmen is a Professor of Law at Santa Clara University School of Law, where he served as Dean of the Law School from 1986-1994. He began his career as a federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, and taught at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles from 1970 to 1986. He has appeared as defense counsel in numerous high-profile cases, including the cases against Daniel Ellsberg, Christian Brando and O.J. Simpson. During the past six years, he has defended the rights of Californians to use marijuana for medicinal purposes in five cases, including cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and the California Supreme Court. He currently serves as Chair of the Editorial Advisory Board for California Lawyer Magazine, and on the Board of Directors for the California Habeas Corpus Resource Center, the Sixth District Appellate Project, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is a past president of the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers and of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice. Much of his scholarship is devoted to the work of the California Supreme Court, including an annual survey of the Court’s work published each year since 1987. He is the author of six books, including two collections of legal humor entitled Disorderly Conduct and Supreme Folly, and the just published Wizard’s Guide to California Evidence, which includes all the magical incantations needed to make evidence disappear with a wave of your wand. He also authored a one-man play on the life of William Jennings Bryan, which was produced in Omaha, Chicago and San Jose.

WHERE:
Thomas Jefferson School of Law, 2120 San Diego Ave., Old Town, Room 200.

WHEN:
TODAY, Monday, Oct. 3, 2005, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

WHY:
Prof. Uelmen's appearance couldn't be more timely as the "Roberts Court" sits for the first time today. The U.S. Supreme Court is a court in transition as the youngest chief justice in 204 years, John Roberts, joins his eight colleagues on the bench today to begin hearing arguments in a variety of controversial cases on this term's docket involving issues such as abortion, religion, free speech and gay rights, the death penalty, federalism and physician-assisted suicide, and campaign finance. Just this morning, President Bush announced his nomination of Harriet Miers to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who is remaining on the bench only until her successor arrives.

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