President of the Czech Senate Addresses John Marshall Students and Faculty on Terrorism

Dean Robert Gilbert Johnston (left) of The John Marshall Law School, welcomed special guests to the law school, including (from left) Petr Pithart, the chairman of the Czech Republic's Senate who delivered an address on terrorism, Czech Ambassador Martin Palous, and George Drost, a John Marshall adjunct professor and newly appointed Czech honorary consul for the Chicago area. Joining them is Professor Michael Seng (right), director of The John Marshall Czech/Slovak Law Institute.

On Tuesday, November 20, 2001, Petr Pithart, the President of the Czech Senate, delivered an address at The John Marshall Law School on Terrorism.

Petr Pithart is a lawyer who signed Charter 77, the document that discredited the Communist regime on the issue of human rights. He served as Prime Minister for Czechoslovakia in 1991-92. He was in the news last year when he secured the release of several Czech politicians who were detained in Cuba by Fidel Castro. He is a leading candidate to succeed Vaclav Havel as President of the Czech Republic next year.

Dr. Pithart asked us to think carefully about the price we are willing to pay for increased security. He distinguished between sacrificing mere inconveniences and sacrificing true freedoms and warned that the quest for increased security after the September terrorist attack should not be bought at the price of our freedoms, which once surrendered are difficult to get back. He also emphasized that with rights goes duties. He assured Americans that Europeans are ready to join America in defending freedom and civilization.

Dr. Pithart's presentation was part of a two-day celebration honoring George T. Drost, who was named as Czech Honorary Consul in Chicago. Mr. Drost is an adjunct professor at The John Marshall Law School and is in private practice in Arlington Heights. His father, John Drost, is an alumnus of John Marshall.

Accompanying Dr. Pithart and Mr. Drost to the Law School were Martin Palous, the newly named ambassador of the Czech Republic in Washington and Richard Krpac, head of consular affairs for the Czech Republic in Washington.

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Paul Hancock Gives Rare Insight Into Bush v. Gore

Paul Hancock, Deputy Attorney General for the State of Florida, gave an insider's perspective on Bush v. Gore to John Marshall students and faculty on Wednesday, November 28. Mr. Hancock argued Bush v. Gore for the Florida Attorney General in the Florida Supreme Court. He explained the background of Florida elections law and how apparently conflicting provisions of Florida law contributed to the legal uncertainty surrounding the close presidential election in Florida. He described why different legal opinions emanated from the Attorney General's office and from the office of the Secretary of State. He candidly evaluated the strategy used by the participants and criticized the expedited decision-making process that led to the final result. In retrospect, he questioned whether everyone might have been better off if more time had been taken to think about strategy and consequences.

Mr. Hancock raised interesting ethical issues about the role of public officials in participating in political campaigns when they may also end up being judges of the results. In Florida, the Secretary of State was Bush's campaign manager, and the Attorney General was Gore's campaign manager. Both were required under Florida law to make legal decisions that affected the outcome of the controversy. Although both of these officials resigned their political positions during the election controversy, he asked the students to consider how that may have appeared to color their legal opinions during the recount battle.

Hearing Mr. Hancock speak gave new insight into the important role that lawyers play in our political system. Mr. Hancock's talk showed how professional competence and integrity can raise even the most partisan of struggles into a principled legal battle. His discussion represented all that is the best in the legal profession.

Mr. Hancock was formerly the Chief of the Housing and Civil Enforcement Section in the United States Department of Justice. He is a frequent participant at The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Support Center's conferences. Mr. Hancock urged students to get involved in public service work.

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John Marshall Team Takes Three Awards At 20^th CBA Moot Court Competition

Anthony Gabor and Tricia Oliver representing The John Marshall Law School were named finalists in the 20^th Annual Chicago Bar Association Moot Court Competition Nov. 17, 2001.

Competing against 18 teams, Gabor and Oliver argued two issues: whether the 1^st Amendment allows for the Internet broadcast of an execution, and whether requiring a condemned prisoner to choose the method of his execution violates the 8^th Amendment admonition against cruel and unusual punishment.

Gabor and Oliver presented their argument six times during the competition. Serving on the final judges panel were U.S. District Court Judges Suzanne B. Conlon and James B. Moran, and Circuit Court Judge Sabastian T. Patti.

Judges also gave the team a second best brief award, and Gabor won recognition as third best oralist in the competition. The team's faculty advisor was Adjunct Professor Lester Finkle.

Oliver, who will graduate in January, is a 1998 graduate of Eastern Illinois University. John Marshall awarded her the Dean's Scholarship in 1999, and a Moot Court Executive Board Scholarship in 2001. She is an associate justice on the Moot Court Board. Oliver also is completing a fellowship through Equal Justice America working at the Chicago Legal Clinic, Inc.

Gabor, a second-year student, is a graduate of Bradley University. He is an evening-division student and works as a law clerk for Schiff Hardin & Waite.