This reading group will explore decisions made by state attorneys general in the light of the recent decisions of the United State Supreme Court in the areas of abortion, guns and climate change. As opposed to focusing on federal litigation and advocacy, the course will focus on how state attorneys general are using state law and state constitutions as they deal with these explosive issues. Because attorneys general are making these decisions on a daily basis the contours of the syllabus will be subject to "real time" changes. 

The class will be highly interactive, with Professor Tierney and invited guests exploring in depth the actual decision making process of state attorneys general in light of not just litigation but also as the projected response to a new federal Administration. 

Our schedule reflects a need to allow attorneys general to react to the projected changes expected in  Trump Administration. We will therefore have a meeting January 28, 2025 for general orientation and then not meet again until February 25.  We will therefore meet on Tuesdays from 3:45-5:45 PM in Hauser 103 on January 28, February 25, March 4, 11 and 25, and April 8, 2025

A key part of this course will be you sharing with the rest of the group the things about which you are most passionate. Throughout the semester, you are encouraged to suggest readings and discussion topics to Professor Tierney (jtierney@law.harvard.edu) and our Teaching Fellow, Laura Kern, lkern@jd25.law.harvard.edu