Published on March 13, 2019 by Morgan Black  
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Governmental ethics reform will be a major topic during the 2019 session. To coincide with Alabama’s 2019 legislative session, Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law will host “A Conversation About Ethics Reform: Where Should the Lines Be Drawn?” on Friday, March 22 from 2-4 p.m. in Memory Leake Robinson Hall. 

On one hand, public officials and employees should not use their office for personal gain. On another hand, legislators are part-time and need to earn a living outside of their legislative role.

“Where we draw these lines is not only important to lawyers and judges, it is vitally important to all citizens,” said Judge John L. Carroll. “We should have a government that is free from corruption and composed of the best and most competent people. Any reform of our ethics laws must consider these interests and it is extremely important that our citizens’ voices be heard on how these interests should be balanced.” 

Cumberland School of Law invites you to join us as we approach this topic and learn where the lines in governmental ethics reform should be drawn. 

Panelists will include:

  • Matthew C. McDonald, partner in the Litigation and Government Relations practice group at Jones Walker LLP in Mobile, Alabama. McDonald advises publicly held clients in civil litigation and government affairs.
  • Katherine Robertson, chief counsel to Alabama’s Attorney General and lead staff member for ethics reform.
  • Judge Joseph Boohaker, chief judge of the 10th Judicial Circuit and a member of the commission studying ethics reform.
  • Judge Jerry L. Fielding, chair of the Alabama Ethics Commission.

This event is free and open to the public.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.