Law Week Events Scheduled at UW Oct. 16

Among highlights of Law Week at the University of Wyoming Oct. 16-20 will be oral arguments heard by Wyoming Supreme Court justices.

The week also features an attorney discussing his client’s $20 million fine from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Title IX implications; natural resources policies; UW students and professors discussing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program’s latest developments; and a panel focusing on balancing a law career.

All programs are free and open to the public, and will be held in the Moot Courtroom in the UW College of Law.

“The UW Potter Law Club and other student organizations have arranged a stellar schedule of presentations, panel discussions and the Wyoming Supreme Court oral arguments,” says Christine Reed, communications director in the UW College of Law.

Scheduled events are:

-- Monday, Oct. 16, 12:20-1:25 p.m.: Curtis Moffat, Wyoming Medium Correctional Institute, located in Torrington, deputy warden.

He will discuss the day-to-day operations and the challenges the staff faces. He also will talk about how the correctional facility helps inmates with mental health issues.

-- Monday, Oct. 16, 6:30-8 p.m.: “Balancing Family Life and Practicing Law,” panel moderated by Lindsay Hoyt, UW College of Law assistant dean.

Panelists Melissa Alexander, Brock Faulkner, Tori Kricken, Kelly Neville and Alan Romero will discuss their various experiences as students, attorneys, professors and judge, and how they have found and continue to find a balance as parents.

-- Tuesday, Oct. 17, 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Women’s law forum, “Let’s Talk Title IX.” Panelists are Tara Evans, UW general counsel; Kelly Humphrey, Laramie County Community College-Albany County campus Title IX office; Jim Osborne, UW Title IX coordinator; and Meghan Selheim, UW STOP Violence Program coordinator.

Panelists will discuss the purposes of Title IX and how it is implemented on university campuses. They will discuss the pros/cons of the newly implemented changes made by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVoss, and the legal implications and potential ramifications of the new direction.

-- Tuesday, Oct. 17, 12:20-1:15 p.m.: “Natural Resources Policy: How Regulations Affect Industry and the Environment.” Panelists are Joe Evers, Westmoreland Coal Company; Matt Micheli, Holland and Hart law firm; and Jill Morrison, Powder River Basin Resource Council. UW College of Law Associate Dean Sam Kalen will moderate the panel discussion.

Panelists will discuss how regulations affect natural resource industries and the environment in Wyoming and throughout the United States.

-- Tuesday, Oct. 17, 6-7:30 p.m.: “Law and Politics: From Legal Backgrounds to Effective Politicians, Lawmakers and Governors.” Panelists are current state Sen. Affie Ellis; former Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal; Secretary of State Ed Murray; and former state Sen. Mary Throne. UW political science Professor Jim King will moderate the panel.

Panelists will discuss how their legal education and professions helped them to become effective politicians, lawmakers and governor.

-- Wednesday, Oct. 18, 9:30-10:50 a.m.: “International Law: Chile v. Bolivia,” discussion with Ximena Fuentes and Joke Kleinkraneberg. They will speak during an international law class about their current case before the International Court.

-- Wednesday, Oct. 18, 12:20-1:15 p.m.: DACA student panel and, from 6-7:30 p.m., DACA professor panel. An update on the current DACA situation will be discussed.

-- Thursday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m.-noon: Wyoming Supreme Court oral arguments, UW College of Law, Room 178.

-- Thursday, Oct. 19, 12:20-1:15 p.m.: Peter Prigge, UW Athletics Department compliance officer, will discuss sports and entertainment law, including work on contracts and other career options available to pursue with a law degree.

-- Thursday, Oct. 19, 6-7:30 p.m.: Jonathan Wood, Pacific Legal Foundation, will discuss one of his legal cases.

Wood represented Andy Johnson, a Fort Bridger rancher who was fined more than $20 million by the EPA for building a stock pond on his property. The EPA ordered Johnson to remove the pond or pay $37,500 per day. Wood will talk about his experience representing Johnson and about the future of the EPA under the current presidential administration.

-- Friday, Oct. 20, 6-10 p.m.: Trelease dinner. Mindy Benson, UW Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources dean, is the keynote speaker.

For more information, call Reed at (307) 766-6562 or email Christine.Reed@uwyo.edu.