Was the title of the first, and hopefully annual, Northeastern University Law Journal symposium. It was last Friday from 10AM - 5PM. It went really well!

The keynote speaker was Tom Wilner, a managing partner at Sharman and Sterling. He spoke about how he got into representing Guantanamo detainees when the opportunity arose.

The first panel was "Representing at Your Own Risk - Challenges to Finding and Taking Guantanamo Clients." Professor Coyne of University of Oklahoma Law, Nicole Moen of Frederickson & Byron, and Stewart Eisenberg of Weinberg & Garber spoke of flying down and meeting with their clients, many of whom are in solitary. One of the most poignant things that the speakers said was that even though it seemed hopeless at times, the lawyers were providing an important service. Not the attempt to get a hearing on the detainees status (which is important) but just flying down and interacting with the detainee and assuring them that they too were human. I know that's corny. But it really struck me because you think the most important thing is that the detainees actually have lawyers who will fight their cause and it turns out that the most important service they provide to the detainee is a human connection.

The second panel was "No News is Bad News - Cutting Through the Secrecy of Evidence." Sabin Willet of Bingham McCutchem, David Remes of Covington and Burling, and Marcellene Hearn of Richards, Kibbe, & Orbe spoke of how the comuniques from their meetings with clients had to go through DC before they would get back to them. This, however, is only if they need to discuss to the public about the situation with the detainees. Otherwise, you are breaking the law.

The final panel was "What does Winning Mean? - Representation After a Favorable Judgment" hosted. Bernard Docket who flew from Germany!, Professor Baher Azmy of Seton Hall law, and Jason Pinney of Bingham McCutchen spoke on this topic. I wasn't present for this panel but I heard that it was also very good.

Overall, the turnout, speakers and panels were great! I really hope this continues. In addition, if you do come to NUSL, unlike other law schools you don't have to test / write into Journal. All 2Ls and 3Ls are welcome as long as you do your end of things.