MSU Law Professors Analyze U.S. Supreme Court’s 2021-22 Term as Court Begins 2022-23 Term

October 3, 2022

Six MSU Law constitutional experts analyzed major cases of the U.S. Supreme Court’s last term in the faculty “Hot Topics” series.

The panel discussion was held today on the first Monday in October in conjunction with the Court’s annual opening of its new term. The court heard oral arguments on a case involving the protection of Idaho wetlands being challenged by land developers. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson asked the first questions on her first day on the bench.

Michael Sant’Ambrogio, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs and Professor of Law at MSU College of Law, moderated the panel discussion with his peers. He introduced the session, acknowledging Justice Jackson’s historical role.

“The oral arguments began. The first question was by our newest Justice,” Sant’Ambrogio said. “Justice Jackson started by asking questions on an EPA case. So that was exciting to hear. It’s going to be another big term.

“Today, we’re going to unpack some of the major cases from the 2021 term and consider what they might tell us for this next term.”

The Hot Topics discussion was co-sponsored by the American Constitution Society and included Dean Linda Greene and MSU Law Professors Jim Chen, Frank Ravitch, Veronica Thronson, David Thronson, and Kate Fort. Find their bios and CVs here.

In a robust panel discussion, the professors addressed what they saw as concerns with the Court’s conservative reach in important social issues, including women’s reproductive health; gun laws; separation of church and state; immigration law; Indian Child Welfare case; civil liberties, and more.

Watch the Student Docket for news about the next Hot Topics discussion.