Constitutional Interpretation at a Crossroads: Reflections from the 2024 Childress Lecture
The Richard J. Childress Memorial Lecture at Saint Louis University School of Law brought together legal scholars and practitioners on October 25, 2024, to explore constitutional interpretation in today’s legal landscape.
Keynote speaker Madiba K. Dennie, author of “The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back,” set the tone with thought-provoking questions about where constitutional interpretation stands today, how it arrived at this point, and where it's heading.
Childress Managing Editor, Alexa Benson (3L) introduced Dennie and emphasized the dual nature of law’s impact on society, noting that “The law can oppress or protect us. It can bind or free us.” Dennie opened with her rationale for her focus on constitutional interpretation, “Constitutional interpretation is always determining what kind of life the public can have, including whether we can live freely and be treated fairly.” Dennie’s address examined recent landmark decisions, including the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, highlighting the real-world consequences such as increased maternal and infant mortality rates. She also discussed ongoing legal battles surrounding presidential immunity, demonstrating how constitutional interpretation can affect democratic norms.
The lecture focused extensively on originalism, a constitutional interpretation theory that has gained prominence with the current Supreme Court majority. Of particular interest was the discussion of the 14th and 15th Amendments, which address citizenship rights, equal protection under the law, and voting rights. The interpretation of these amendments through an originalist lens has become central to contemporary legal discourse.
This year’s Childress Lecture provided a forum for examining these critical issues, continuing its tradition of fostering dialogue on legal issues and their impact on American society. The first panel, “Critically Examining Supreme Court Jurisprudence,” included Steven Schwinn from University of Chicago Illinois School of Law; Daniel Kiel from University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law; and Allen Rostron from University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. The second panel, “Recent and Ongoing Developments in Constitutional Interpretation,” featured Francesca Procaccini from Vanderbilt University School of Law; Marcia McCormick from Saint Louis University School of Law; and Travis Crum from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. The final panel, “What Comes Next?”, brought together Yvette Butler from Maurer School of Law, Indiana University Bloomington; Juan Perea from Loyola University School of Law; and Anders Walker from Saint Louis University School of Law.