Encouraging the Teaching of State Constitutional Law Courses
Resolution 1: Encouraging the Teaching of State Constitutional Law Courses
WHEREAS, all lawyers take an oath to support the United States Constitution and the constitution of their state; and
WHEREAS, although all law schools offer a course in constitutional law, the overwhelming majority of those courses are taught from the perspective of the federal Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the United States Constitution creates a dual system of government with two sets of sovereigns whereby all powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states; and
WHEREAS, state constitutions contain different structures of government, unique provisions, and substantive provisions or declarations of rights that are often greater than federally guaranteed individual rights and liberties; and
WHEREAS, being a competent and effective lawyer requires an understanding of both the federal Constitution and state constitutional law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Conference of Chief Justices encourages all law schools to offer a course on state constitutional law.
Adopted as proposed by the Professionalism and Competence of the Bar Committee at the Conference of Chief Justices 2010 Midyear Meeting.