Web Posting From U.S. Consulate in Rio

The U.S. Consulate General in Rio has posted a discussion about the round table panel that I participated in on June 12, 2008. There are some great pictures, and more information about the program. The posting can be viewed here: http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/index.php?action=riomateria.php&id=6897&itemmenu=

Book Chapter on Constitutionalism and International Violence

I wrote an article entitled "Modern Constitutionalism and International Violence" that is being published in a new book edited by Danielle Poe and Eddy Souffrant. The book, Parceling the Globe: Philosophical Explorations in Globalization, Global Behavior, and Peace, is being published by Rodopi Press. This is another in their Value Inquiry Book Series, and brings together the work of philosophers who focus on peace and nonviolence. The book will be in print and released by August 15, 2008. It can be ordered from Amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/Parceling-Globe-Value-Inquiry-Book/dp/904202447X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216649395&sr=8-1

Co-Chair of ALWD Scholarship Committee

The Association of Legal Writing Directors [ALWD] have adopted a new committee structure. There are three major committee divisions: teaching, scholarship, and service. Various subcommittees fall under the major divisions. Each division is headed by two co-chairs. I have been appointed to be the co-chair for the scholarship committee for 2008-2009, along with Kristin Davis from Stetson University. I am excited to be working with Kristin, and to be able to focus on the scholarly work of people within the writing community. For more information about ALWD, try this link: http://www.alwd.org/.

Preface to Direito Ambiental

I wrote the preface to a new book on Brazilian environmental law, Direito Ambimental, which was edited by my friend Gisele Ferreira Araujo. Gisele teaches at the University of Sao Paulo and Oxford University, where she specializes in globalization and international environmental concerns. It is an excellent book, which brings together articles from leading Brazilian scholars in environmental law. The book is in Portuguese, but if you would like to get a copy you can order it here: http://www.editoraatlas.com.br/Atlas/portal/ProductDetail.ctrl.aspx?product_id=8522450978

Assistant Editor-in-Chief

I have been elected to be the next Assistant Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Legal Writing Institute. The journal is a peer reviewed and edited professional journal focusing on scholarship related to legal discourse and communication. Kristin Gerdy from BYU is the new Editor-in-Chief. I am really looking forward to working with Kristin. We have known each other for nearly 10 years now, and we have worked together on many projects. She is one of my favorite people in the profession. Brooke Bowman from Stetson University remains the Managing Editor. She is the person who really makes things happen.

I have been on the journal's editorial board since 2006. During the time I have been on the board I have had the distinct good fortune to be able to work with people like Mary Beth Beasley, Ken Chestek, Jim Levy, Kathi Stanchi and others. I am humbled to be in their company, and hope to live up to the expectations they have set for this fine publication. For information on the journal, try this link: http://www.journallegalwritinginstitute.org/

First Book to be Released

My first book will be released this month from Carolina Academic Press. Mastering Legal Analysis and Communication is designed to give law students and practitioners alike easy to understand information about complex cognitive processes that lawyers must master. Part of the "Mastering" series from Carolina, this book is designed to be a supplement to other texts used in courses on legal analysis, legal methods, and legal writing.

More information about the book, and details on how to order it can be obtained from the Carolina Academic Press website here: http://www.cap-press.com/books/1694, or you can buy it from Amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Legal-Analysis-Communication-Ritchie/dp/1594603634/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1215287531&sr=8-1.

Teaching in Rio

I had the good fortune to be able to teach in Rio de Janeiro again this June. This is always very rewarding, and as usual I made many new friends and colleagues.

From June 9 to the 19th I taught a short course on U.S. constitutional concepts (theories of the constitution, judicial review, due process, and equal protection) at the Universidade Gama Filho where I remain on the faculty as an affiliated faculty member.

On June 12, 2008 I was invited to speak as part of a panel at the International Symposium of Contemporary Legal Theories and Institutional Design – 20 Years of the Brazilian Federal Constitution at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. I spoke about foreign views on legal theory with Prof. Jeffrey Brand-Ballard from George Washington University and Dr. Josep Joan Moreso i Mateos, the Rector of Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona Spain. The event was a wonderful exchange of ideas which was sponsored by the U.S. Consulate General. The Assistant Cultural Attache Carla Waehneldt does a fantastic job with these events.

On June 16, I took part in a ceremony to dedicate a library of U.S. legal materials that were donated by the Dean and Faculty of the Mercer University School of Law to the Escola da Magistratura Regional Federal da 2a Regino [EMARF]. The collection is housed in the main library of the Tribunal Regino Federal [TRF], and consists of several hundred volumes in all areas of the law. The library will be open to the public for anyone in Brazil wishing to do research in U.S. law.

I also gave a short talk on U.S. due process issues to the judges at EMARF on June 16.

Finally, on June 17, 2008 I traveled to the city of Petropolis to meet with the faculty and students at the Universidade Catholica Petropolis. Almost 60 students and faculty stayed until nearly 10:00 pm discussing the U.S. Supreme Court with me. Earlier in the day I had the privilege to have a private tour of the Imperial Museum in Petropolis.

All of these events were coordinated by my good friend and frequent collaborator Fernanda Duarte, and were generously supported by a grant from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro