On Tuesday April 15, 2025, the Harry Phillips American Inns of Court met at the Maxwell House Hotel to explore the theme of “Our Undemocratic Constitution.” Dodson, Parker, Behm, & Capparella’s Donald Capparella moderated a panel discussion between James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Tennessee Court of Appeals Hon. Judge Jeffrey Usman. The three had a lively discussion hashing out the true nature of our Republic, its Constitution, the ever-changing meaning of the word “democracy,” and most importantly, the Constitutional basis for executive power.
Nashville Shakespeare Festival actors Brian Russel and Gerald Oliver played James Madison and Alexander Hamilton respectively, and paralegal Brandon Boyd assisted with research for the actors to accurately portray and reflect their views on the subject. A good time was had by all.
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Michael Bressman serves as Professor of the Practice of Law at Vanderbilt Law School where he has taught a variety of courses over the last 15 years. This year, Professor Bressman received the Hall-Hartman Award honoring excellent teaching for one of the first-year sections of Contracts. He also teaches Intellectual Property and the Arts Clinic, and directs the Law School’s clerkship program.
