Flashback: My Impromptu Lecture on Citizens United from January 21, 2010

I had read the 183-page opinion that morning, and lectured about it in the afternoon.

Yesterday, I wrote about Chief Justice Roberts's concurrence in Citizens United. That landmark case was decided on January 21, 2010. At the time, I was clerking on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. And I taught a federal courts class at the Penn State law school with Judge Gibson. Every week, Judge and I would drive over the State College and teach a three-hour class in the afternoon. This was my first experience in the classroom, and I absolutely loved it. This class also motivated me to pursue a career in academia.

The morning of January 21, the Court released Citizens United at 10:00 a.m. I managed to read the entire 183-page opinion before we made it to class. And Judge Gibson asked me to lecture on it.

The recording is very entertaining--especially for Judge Gibson's commentary. And it provides an early peek at my teaching style.

I don't think my style has changed much, though I have substantially slowed down my pace. I've put a lot of work into my pacing, and took a year of lessons with a diction coach--time very well spent. It's always fun to look, and listen back to your formative years. Enjoy!