Elon Law Dean Luke Bierman and Professor Steve Friedland statements following the death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
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Statement of Luke Bierman, dean and professor of law, Elon University School of Law:
Luke Bierman, dean and professor of law, Elon University School of Law“With the passing of Justice Scalia, politics just got serious again. A narrowly divided Supreme Court now is split 4-4 so the next Supreme Court nomination is as pivotal as any in American history. As many as six blockbuster cases before the Supreme Court will be affected, covering issues as divisive as affirmative action, Obamacare, public unions and abortion. The Republican majority in the Senate already is indicating that it will block any Obama nomination to fill Justice Scalia’s seat on the Court. We can hope for a more serious and substantive presidential campaign now with the direction of the Supreme Court in the balance. With more Republican seats up for election, Senate contests are likely to become even more highly contested. Scalia’s death means all three branches of government are subject to change in November, making 2016 absolutely consequential to the direction of America.”
<p>Steve Friedland, professor of law and senior scholar, Elon University School of Law</p>Statement of Steve Friedland, professor of law and senior scholar, Elon University School of Law:
“Justice Antonin Scalia cast a larger-than-life shadow. He will be remembered for his tenacity in advancing a theory of originalism, his active manner in oral arguments and the ferocity of his dissents. His long tenure served as a bridge into the Internet age and the 24/7 news cycle, and he became one of the first jurists to emerge as a public face in the popular culture, as well as in legal circles.”
