Franklin Pierce Law Center professor Richard A. Hesse, who has taught Constitutional law, international human rights and professional responsibility, will present, “A Conversation with John Marshall” for the American Independence Museum in Exeter on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Hesse portrays Justice John Marshall and the “conversation” will focus on the 200-year-old debate over how powerful the courts should be in a democracy, including a discussion of the question of whether the federal courts should be more powerful than the states themselves.

The visit with Marshall is set in the Washington, DC of 1835. During his tenure as a U.S. Supreme Court justice (1802-1835), Marshall fought to establish a strong national government and an independent federal judiciary. His decision in Marbury vs. Madison in 1803 established that the Supreme Court could invalidate an act of Congress if the act conflicted with the Constitution. Under his guidance, the Court also ruled that the federal judiciary could reverse state court decisions. His influence in these decisions is still reflected in rulings by today’s Supreme Court.

Hesse frequently lectures on Marshall, as well as on civil liberties and national security, freedom of speech, religion and the law—and the US Supreme Court.

This presentation will be held at the Assembly Hall of Phillips Exeter Academy on Front St., and admission is free. For more information, call the museum at 772-2622 or e-mail info@independencemuseum.org.

Home | About the Bar | For Members | For the Public | Legal Links | Publications | Online Store
Lawyer Referral Service | Law-Related Education | NHBA•CLE | NHBA Insurance Agency | NHMCLE
Search | Calendar

New Hampshire Bar Association
2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300, Concord NH 03301
phone: (603) 224-6942 fax: (603) 224-2910
email: NHBAinfo@nhbar.org
© NH Bar Association Disclaimer