The firm has long been a major sponsor of the Judge Thomas A. Flannery Lecture Series, which began in 2009. Since its inception, the Flannery Lecture Series has been graced by notable speakers and has added substantially to the robust legal dialogue that has characterized the professional life of the bar in this city. As described by The Washington Post, the program has offered a platform “for senior federal officials, Supreme Court Justices, judges and others connected with the Court to address an influential audience blocks from the U.S. Capitol.”

  • 2009: Chief Judge Royce C. Lamberth, who served as an Assistant United States Attorney under Judge Flannery, spoke about the nomination and confirmation process for federal judges. 

  • 2010: Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spoke on the changing and arguably less interesting role of federal judges in view of the diminishing number of jury trials. 

  • 2011:  Earl J. Silbert, a former and revered United States Attorney, spoke on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and various sentencing issues. 

  • 2012: Former Senator George Mitchell, once himself a United States District Judge in Maine, spoke on the American judicial system.

  • 2013:  Mary Jo White, former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission and formerly the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, spoke on the importance of trials to the law and to public accountability.

  • 2014: Former FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III spoke on the national security challenges faced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and by the country as a whole. 

  • 2015: Former Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., spoke on the need for congressional action in connection with a major overhaul of federal drug sentencing laws. 

  • 2016: Former Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch spoke on the need to make certain that the criminal justice system ensures that the law works for the most vulnerable members of society. 

  • 2017: Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein spoke about the challenges of being a prosecutor, the need for dedicated prosecutors in public service, and the importance of upholding the rule of law.

  • 2018: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg spoke about her career, the challenges she confronted, and her extraordinary life on the Court. 

  • 2019: Judge Paul L. Friedman spoke on the threats to judicial independence and the rule of law and the treatment of the judiciary in the public discourse.

At these annual lectures, others have spoken on important and timely topics, often discussing matters more directly related to the District of Columbia. These speakers have included U.S. Attorneys, former Attorneys General for the District of Columbia, members of the Public Defender Service, and a Chief Judge. 

This year’s speaker will be United States District Judge Reggie B. Walton. In addition, United States District Judge Royce C. Lamberth will deliver remarks in recognition of outgoing Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell.  

Date: Thursday, May 11, 2023
Time: 5:00 p.m.  
Location: Ceremonial Courtroom of the United States Courthouse, 333 Constitution Avenue, N.W.

For more information, please contact: Judy Elam: jelam@zuckerman.com or 202.778.1803