This series brings together noted figures in the world of law – lawyers, professors, journalists, and activists – to join in dialogue about their lives in the law along with how their work bears on some of the most controversial issues of our time. Join us for a conversation with Jason Downs. Ronald Collins, a retired law professor and the Library’s first Distinguished Lecturer, will host the session, which is meant for laypersons and specialists alike.

Jason Downs is currently a shareholder at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, where he is co-chair of the State Attorneys General practice group. There, he serves as lead counsel for clients facing enforcement action, takes a creative and proactive approach to educating the state AG community on behalf of clients, and helps businesses understand the authority of state attorneys general. Jason also provides strategic advice on parallel civil and criminal investigations of individuals and entities.

District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine said this of Mr. Downs: “Not yet 40 years old, Jason’s sharp legal mind, creativity, prodigious work ethic, and selfless leadership foreshadows that he will soon be recognized as one of our country’s most able lawyers. During Jason’s two years as Chief Deputy in our office—and throughout his career—he fought for the most vulnerable people in our justice system with empathy and compassion.” No stranger to high-profile litigation, Downs was a part of the litigation team that investigated and settled the Freddie Gray civil rights matter for $6.4 million. He also served as lead counsel on the Terrence Sterling civil rights matter in the District of Columbia that settled for $3.5 million.

Downs serves as trial advocacy workshop faculty at Harvard Law School and is an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland School of Law. He also volunteers as a youth mentor at Thurgood Marshall Public Charter High School and teaches basic legal concepts to Ballou High School students interested in pursuing a legal career.

Ronald Collins is the former Harold S. Shefelman scholar at the University of Washington Law School. He served as a Supreme Court fellow for Chief Justice Warren Burger. He is the editor of the weekly blog First Amendment News and is on the editorial board of SCOTUSblog.  He is also the co-chair of The First Amendment Salons and the co-director of the History Book Festival. He is the author of some dozen books on everything from artificial intelligence and free speech to campaign finance law, and on individuals including Justice Holmes, Machiavelli, comedian Lenny Bruce, and poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

NOTE: this meeting is being conducted through Zoom. You MUST REGISTER to receive instructions for joining the meeting.

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Basic written instructions for using Zoom may be found here and a brief video tutorial may be found here. Closed captioning is available for all our sessions. Information on enabling closed captioning in Zoom may be found here.