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News & Photos
AP Government Students Rule
Frederic Smalkin '64, retired Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (and father of Kate Smalkin '03, presided over Jeff Sanborn’s AP Government class recently.
He heard students argue a mock-Supreme Court case on the constitutionality of The Affordable Care Act, passed by Congress in 2010. Students performed roles of petitioners, who argued the unconstitutionality of the act; respondents, who argued on behalf of the Obama administration; and justices.
Judge Smalkin taught the students proper court protocol and forms of address. He peppered the young lawyers with questions about the legal, historical, and constitutional bases of their arguments.
The students presented their arguments and had to think quickly on their feet as the Chief Judge challenged them to justify their positions. The other justices (students) also chimed in with their own questions and comments.
At the end of the proceedings, the justices voted. The outcome was 6 affirming the constitutionality of the act, and 3 against.
Judge Smalkin praised the AP Government students, saying that this was as good or better a presentation as his court would get from first-year law students from the top law school in the country. “Cases were well-argued and well-presented. It was a fabulous experience,” he concluded.
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Frederic Smalkin '64, retired Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (and father of Kate Smalkin '03, presided over Jeff Sanborn’s AP Government class recently.
He heard students argue a mock-Supreme Court case on the constitutionality of The Affordable Care Act, passed by Congress in 2010. Students performed roles of petitioners, who argued the unconstitutionality of the act; respondents, who argued on behalf of the Obama administration; and justices.
Judge Smalkin taught the students proper court protocol and forms of address. He peppered the young lawyers with questions about the legal, historical, and constitutional bases of their arguments.
The students presented their arguments and had to think quickly on their feet as the Chief Judge challenged them to justify their positions. The other justices (students) also chimed in with their own questions and comments.
At the end of the proceedings, the justices voted. The outcome was 6 affirming the constitutionality of the act, and 3 against.
Judge Smalkin praised the AP Government students, saying that this was as good or better a presentation as his court would get from first-year law students from the top law school in the country. “Cases were well-argued and well-presented. It was a fabulous experience,” he concluded.