Journal of Law and Public Policy

The Journal of Law and Public Policy (JLPP) is a student-run journal that promotes modern legal thought through analysis of contemporary public policy. It raises awareness and provides expert thought on timely public policy issues by utilizing several forums, including academically rigorous symposia, publication of articles and community events. It integrates all viewpoints to sharpen and improve the public policies of the state and federal governments of the United States of America.

By strengthening professional relationships, utilizing practical skills for the workplace and stimulating scholarly discussion, JLPP seeks to provide students with an opportunity to develop their critical research and writing skills and to make a meaningful contribution to legal professionals and American society.

Perhaps no topic in the American constitutional order presents as many challenges as the question of the place and purpose of free speech. The purpose of The University of St. Thomas School of Law Journal of Law and Public Policy’s Fall 2023 Symposium is to explore the entire range of free speech issues that confront contemporary constitutional law. Papers exploring the following issues are welcome:

1. The relationship free speech and expressive activity have with other civil liberties and civil rights (see, for instance 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis).
2. The use of defamation as a means of policing false statements, specifically in the area of political speech (see, for instance, Dominion Voting Systems v. Fox News Network).
3. The rising concern with hate speech, and its relationship with classic claims of speech as a protected civil liberty.
4. The rise of disinformation (as, for instance during the COVID pandemic) and the responsibility of both private parties and government agencies to police it.
5. The responsibility of social media corporations to ensure equal access to all points of view (see, for example, Anthony Kennedy’s “the vast democratic forums of the internet;” Packingham v. North Carolina; and NetChoice LLC v. Paxton).
6. The relationship of social media companies, government entities, and claims of censorship as illustrated in matters like the Twitter Files.
7. The relationship of democracy, free speech, and campaign finance reform in the light of cases like Citizens United.

Proposals should be no longer than 300 words. They may be submitted to Professor Charles J. Reid, Jr., School of Law, University of St. Thomas (Minnesota), cjreid@stthomas.edu, and are due by September 15, 2023.

Papers are to be presented as part of an all-day Symposium at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, on November 17, 2023. The Symposium will assume a hybrid character. Participants may choose whether to present their papers in-person, or electronically, through Zoom. Speakers are expected to describe their work in presentations approximately fifteen to twenty minutes in length. Speakers will subsequently submit formal papers for publication in the University of St. Thomas Journal of Law and Public Policy. Final drafts of papers are due on or around February 1, 2024.