Former Powell Clerk and Appellate Advocate Paul Smith to Speak at W&L Law
Paul M. Smith, former law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell ’27, ’31L, will speak at Washington and Lee School of Law on Monday, Oct. 21. His talk will begin at noon in the Millhiser Moot Court Room, Sydney Lewis Hall.
Smith, who has presented oral arguments in 14 cases before the High Court, will present a lecture titled “Lawrence, Windsor, and Beyond.” He will discuss his role in arguing the landmark Supreme Court case, Lawrence v. Texas. The lecture, which is sponsored by OUTLaw, will also address issues of civil rights and equality.
Smith is currently the Chair of the Appellate and Supreme Court Practice and Co-Chair of the Media and First Amendment, and Election Law and Redistricting Practices at Jenner & Block. In addition to Lawrence v. Texas, the landmark gay rights case, Smith argued Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Ass’n, which established the First Amendment rights of those who produce and sell video games.
Smith has long been lauded by Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in appellate litigation, media, and entertainment law, and First Amendment litigation. He has been recognized as a top lawyer by Washingtonian magazine, Washington DC Super Lawyer, and The National Law Journal, among others. He was also awarded the Thurgood Marshall Award from the American Bar Association Section of Individual Rights and Responsibilities for his efforts promoting civil rights and liberties.
