USD Law Student Attends Georgetown University's Originalism Summer Seminar
Throughout the weeklong conference, Shafer heard lectures from constitutional theory specialists. Originalism, the subject and namesake of the seminar, is a theory of legal interpretation that upholds the principle value of interpreting legal text within the context of the time it was first written.
“It is important to be able to speak originalism,” said Shafer. “I attended the seminar so I can maintain understanding of the legal theory of the day; as originalism continues to be the touchstone for constitutional interpretation.”
Shafer also attended seminars throughout his time in law school, like the Christian Legal Society (CLS) Fellowship, which changed the trajectory of his career. Shafer believes opportunities like the CLS fellowship and originalism seminar are valuable experiences for students.
“Helping students think holistically about their career path or a specific topic will improve their personal vision of law school,” said Shafer.
For him, learning did not stop after graduation. Hearing theory from judicial professionals at Georgetown University, some with research in support of the theory and some with research on the theory’s flaws, highlighted the intricacies involved in interpreting law from both academic and practicing perspectives.
After hearing from the speakers that Shafer considers to be at the head of originalism theory, both practically and theoretically, he feels he is even more prepared to begin his professional legal career.
“Because legal academics and judges hold different fundamental views about courts in America, their disagreements about interpretation often turn on more deeply held beliefs about courts,” said Shafer. “Although I had already believed that originalism, despite its flaws, was the best legal theory applicable to the United States Constitution, I was struck by how impactful small differences in fundamental concepts about the roles of courts can play in legal interpretation.”
After the bar exam, Shafer plans to clerk for Justice Jonathan Papik, J.D., of the Nebraska Supreme Court.
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