Lawyer Nation: The Past, Present, and Future of the American Legal Profession

A Conversation and Book Signing with Associate Dean Ray Brescia

Tuesday, April 16, 2024
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Albany Law School
80 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208

Also available via Zoom

Registration

Join Ray Brescia, Associate Dean for Research and Intellectual Life and the Hon. Harold R Tyler Chair in Law and Technology at Albany Law School, as he discusses his new book, Lawyer Nation: The Past, Present, and Future of the American Legal Profession. President & Dean Cinnamon P. Carlarne will offer introductory/welcoming remarks.

The American legal profession faces significant challenges: the changing nature of work in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic; calls for greater racial and gender justice; threats to democracy; the inaccessibility of legal services for the majority of Americans; the risk of obsolescence owing to the emergence of new technologies; and the disaffection many lawyers feel toward their work.  At this critical moment in the legal profession’s—and the nation’s—history, Brescia’s book explores the critical role that American lawyers have played since the nation’s founding in advancing the rule of law and what the future holds for the profession in light of the challenges it faces at present.   According to Kirkus Reviews, the book “makes a convincing case that the legal profession must take massive strides toward reform now.”  And describes it as a “powerful examination of the U.S. legal field."NYU Law School’s Melissa Murray calls Lawyer Nation "essential reading for lawyers and those who believe in the rule of law."

A book signing and celebratory reception will follow the book talk.

One CLE Credit in Ethics and Professionalism will be available to those who participate, either online or in-person.

This event is free and open to the public for all who wish to attend but those who wish to purchase a copy of the book signed by the author may do so through the event registration at a discounted price. 

About the Book

Lawyer Nation: The Past, Present, and Future of the American Legal Profession

Ambitious in its scope yet straightforward in its approach, Lawyer Nation seeks to address challenges faced by the American legal profession by offering a path forward. Ray Brescia provides concrete ideas for transforming law into a field whose services are accessible, egalitarian, and viable in the long term. Further, he addresses how the profession can improve so that the health of its practitioners is not compromised in the process. If the legal profession does not respond to its crises in an effective way, he argues, the dysfunction and unfairness plaguing the legal world will deepen. This is an unprecedented opportunity for the world of law to reimagine its future in way that honors its highest ideals: preserving the rule of law, protecting individual liberty, and addressing social inequality in all of its forms.
 

Purchase the Book

Special Event Purchase:
A discounted and signed book is available through event registration. 
Special Event Price: $25

About Ray Brescia

Ray Brescia is the Associate Dean for Research and Intellectual Life and Hon. Harold R Tyler Chair in Law and Technology at Albany Law School. Brescia combines his prior experience as a public interest attorney in New York City with his scholarly interests to address economic and social inequality, the legal and policy implications of financial crises, how innovative legal and regulatory approaches can improve economic and community development efforts, and the need to expand access to justice for people of low and moderate income.

A full bio and curriculum vitae is here. 

CLE Information:

Albany Law School’s Center for Continuing Legal Education has been certified by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board as an accredited provider of Continuing Legal Education in the State of New York. This program has been accredited as a source of continuing legal education credits for both transitional and non-transitional attorneys in New York State (1.0 Ethics credit). For financial hardship guidelines, please call the Center for Continuing Legal Education at (518) 472-5888.

ACCOMMODATION

We welcome requests for accommodation due to a disability. Please contact Albany Law School’s Center for Continuing Legal Education at (518) 472-5888 at least a week prior to the course to discuss your requirements.
 

NOTE

New York State Continuing Legal Education Board regulations state that credit shall be awarded only for attendance at an entire course or program, or for attendance at an entire session of a course or program. No credit shall be awarded for attending portion of a session.