The Life, Work & Legacy of Felix Frankfurter

April 19, 2023
9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Touro Law Center
2 NY CLE Credits in Professional Practice


Conference Overview


Felix Frankfurter may have been the most influential lawyer in the United States during the first half of the 20th century. In 1939, President Roosevelt appointed Frankfurter to the Supreme Court, where he championed judicial restraint until his retirement in 1962.

Frankfurter’s biography is a story of immigration, academic achievement and scholarship, political activism, and public service as a prosecutor, advisor to Presidents, and judge.

Please join us for a conference exploring the life, work, and legacy of the lawyer and justice known as “FF.”

Participants include Professor Brad Snyder, author of the recent acclaimed biography of Frankfurter; the Hon. Jed Rakoff; and Professors John Q. Barrett; R. B. Bernstein; Rodger Citron; Tiffany Graham; Jeremy Kessler; Helen Knowles-Gardner; William Nelson; Noah Rosenblum; Dalia Tsuk; and John Witt.

For additional information, please contact events@tourolaw.edu.

Conference Program



Welcome & First Session

This recording includes Touro Law Dean Elena Langan's remarks to open the conference and presentations from the first panel of speakers. The order of speakers for this session was the Hon. Jed Rakoff; Professor John Q. Barrett; Professor R. B. Bernstein; and Professor Tiffany Graham. Professor Rena Seplowitz moderated the session.



Second Session

This recording features presentations by Professor Mark A. Graber, Professor Jeremy Kessler, and Professor John F. Witt, in that order. Associate Dean Myra Berman moderated the session



Keynote Address

This recording features the conference's keynotes address by Professor Brad Snyder, author of Democratic Justice: Felix Frankfurter, the Supreme Court, and the Making of the Liberal Establishment. After Professor Snyder delivered his remarks, there was a substantial question-and-answer session in which he answered questions from fellow panelists and audience members.



Third Session

This recording features presentations by Professor William Nelson, Professor Noah A. Rosenblum, Professor Helen Knowles-Gardner, and Associate Dean Rodger Citron, in that order. Professor Jorge Roig moderated the session.

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