On Thursday, May 24, 2007, the Nashville Chapter of the American Constitution Society (ACS) and the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies (Federalist Society) co-sponsored a debate that focused on the current process for selecting appellate judges in Tennessee, the recent controversy of the process and proposals for revising the process. Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice William M. Barker moderated the debate. Panelists included former Tennessee Attorney General Paul G. Summers; Joseph A. Woodruff, legal counsel for “Tennesseans for Thompson”, the official campaign committee for Senator Fred D. Thompson in 1994 and 1996; and Maclin P. Davis, former legal counsel for the Tennessee Republican Party.

“ACS and the Federalist Society are very pleased to co-sponsor this debate on a very timely topic to Tennesseans,” said ACS Chapter President Sharmila Murthy and Federalist Society Nashville Chapter president Ammon Smartt. “One of the key goals of ACS and of the Federalist Society is to promote dialogue and understanding of constitutional issues and we look forward to sponsoring more events in the future together,” they added.

The debate took place at the offices of the law firm of Waller, Lansden, Dortch & Davis, located at the Nashville City Center, 511 Union Street, Suite 2700, Nashville, Tennessee, at 5:00 p.m.

To read the transcript of the Nashville Public Radio interview of the panelists on the judicial selection debate that was aired on Friday, May 25, click here.

To view pictures from the event click here.