The Political Science & Legal Studies Department

Suffolk University has been recognized as one of the Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting in 2024 by ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge! We are proud to promote nonpartisan civic engagement on our campus and will continue our efforts to increase student voter turnout.

Suffolk University has been recognized as one of the Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting in 2024 by ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge! We are proud to promote nonpartisan civic engagement on our campus and will continue our efforts to increase student voter turnout.

The Suffolk University Mock Trial team fielded two teams at the 19th Annual Justice Louis D. Brandeis Invitational on November 9-10, hosted by Brandeis University. Twelve teams from eight schools competed at the tournament. In only the second year of intercollegiate competition, the teams both did very well in their four rounds of competition, competing twice as plaintiffs and twice as defendants in a fictitious civil case in the “state of Midlands.” Team A finished with a 4-4 record earning an honorable mention designation (right below the top three teams!). Team B finished with a record of equal wins, losses and a hard fought tie! For the first time also in Suffolk’s mock trial competitions, students won individual awards! Congratulations go to Liam Forristall for receiving an attorney award from Team B and to Gabrielle Powers for receiving an attorney award from Team A. Charlotte Minihane (represented in photo by Izzy Greenfield, club president) also gave a strong performance as a witness and won an individual award for Team A. Congratulations to all Suffolk student competitors at the Brandeis invitational. Good luck for their next invitational hosted by Roger Williams U. in a couple of weeks and then on to American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) formal competition in the spring! GO RAMS!

Episode 28 of the Election Connection is out now!?In this episode, we analyze the election results that saw Donald Trump win, exploring the implications for various populations and American democracy. We discuss factors like President Biden's low approval ratings, voter turnout, and the impact of economic messaging. The conversation also addresses the historical challenges faced by vice presidents, the support for pro-abortion rights measures in several states, and the cyclical nature of American politics. Listen now on all your favorite podcast platforms!

At the National Model UN Conference in DC this past weekend, Suffolk University Model UN’s travel team competed in a 3-day long conference representing the Dominican Republic with topics ranging from lethal autonomous weapon systems to the preservation of natural resources for economic development. A huge congratulations to SUMUN! We look forward to your continued success. #modelunitednations

Professor Bordelon’s First Year Seminar on Debating Civil Rights in the Law visited the John Adams Courthouse on Fri., 11/8. After getting exposure to the federal judiciary and the Moakley Courthouse last month, the students learned about the state judiciary, its history and its contemporary process. They sat in on an oral argument of the Massachusetts Court of Appeals and had a fantastic discussion with Justice Sookyoung Shin of the Court of Appeals!

The Election Connection episode 27: “Unpacking Immigration Policy in the 2024 Presidential Race” is out now!?In this episode, we examine one of the pivotal issues of the 2024 election: immigration. Our guest, Ragini Shah, Clinical Professor of Law and director of the Immigrant Justice Clinic at Suffolk Law School, joins us for an in-depth conversation. Shah shares insights from her new book,?"Constructed Movements, Extraction and Resistance in Mexican Migrant Communities,"?and discusses the 2024 presidential race. She analyzes the immigration policy proposals of the major party candidates and explores how public opinion influences these approaches.?Listen now on all your favorite podcast platforms!?

The Election Connection episode 26: “Getting Ready to Vote!” is out now! This one’s for you, first-time voters (and anyone who wants a refresher)! Why do we call it a “polling location”? What is a ward and precinct? We get into the weeds of election vocabulary and help you think about what method you will use to vote (early, by mail, on Election Day), how to make a plan, and how to get ready. Available now on all your favorite podcast platforms!

The Debating Civil Rights in the Law section of First Year Seminar had their federal court field trip for class today. They will have a state court field trip next month, and ACLU attorney class speaker towards the end of the semester. The students asked very probing questions, particularly in their discussion with Chief Judge Barron and Judge Gelpí of the 1st Cir. For example, one student asked whether the judges thought asking for an en banc rehearing was strategic. Another student asked the judges how they handle disagreement when they have to decide cases. Suffolk’s brand was well represented. Judge Gelpí reminded the students he was a Suffolk Law alum, and one of the marshals made it a point to let us know he was a Suffolk alum, class of ’76!

Episode 25 of the Election Connection: "Unpacking the Economic Plans of the 2024 Presidential Candidates with John Haughton" is out now! In this episode, we discuss what voters say is the most important in this election – The Economy. Hosts Rachael Cobb and Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber are joined by Professor Emeritus Jonathan Haughton, the former chair of the Economic Department at Suffolk University. He helps us understand this complex topic and what impact each presidential candidate’s economic policy priorities might have. Listen on all your favorite podcast platforms today!