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!

Comments

[Noscitur a sociis]

Jesus Christ.

[bernard11]

Amen.

[Commenter_XY]

Ok, now that was funny, bernard11. 🙂

[Dan Schiavetta]

It was irresponsible for the judge to ask you to lecture on it, and irresponsible for you to accept, though law clerks being bootlicks, I don't blame you. So I blame the judge.

At a bar association meeting with colleagues? Maybe you could talk about it. In front of students who you are teaching about the law? Absolutely not.

[Rev. Arthur L. Kirkland]

Judge Gibson was an undistinguished, out-of-nowhere, from-the-backwaters pick for the federal bench by Bush the Lesser. He is based in Johnstown -- known mostly for repeated floods, the underrated "Slap Shot," and the desolation that inspired Bruce Springsteen to write "The River."

My sense is that he is a nice-enough man, but what (other than a pedestrian military background) would have incline anyone to propose him for the federal bench is difficult to apprehend.

[Madam Curiae]

As a Johnstown native I am highly offended.

The city also has the world's steepest vehicular inclined plane.

[Purple Martin]

"It's always fun to look, and listen back to your formative years. Enjoy!"

Ummm...no, it actually isn't. As this example demonstrates, your formative years are not all that interesting.

[Aubrey LaVentana]

"I would drive over [to] State College"

Having lived there, I believe the local expression is "going up the College."