The Cato Institute Speakers Bureau
Speaker and Speeches:
|
|
Robert A. Levy
Senior Fellow in Constitutional Studies
Robert Levy’s exceptional insights and perspectives about the U.S. Constitution have always been of tremendous importance and in great demand. And now they have become more vital and sought-after than ever. When the fervor for security, law suits, government restrictions, and the unchecked desire to just do something and do it now overtake reason, hard-won and cherished liberties can be harmed. Fortunately, Levy provides clear, always insightful analysis. Combining his experience as the founder and CEO of a successful company with a subsequent, equally successful career in law, he has become an eloquent and persuasive voice for individual liberty and constitutional government.
Some of Robert Levy's most popular presentations include
National Security Post-911: Are Civil Liberties at Risk?
The principal role of government is to secure our civil liberties while protecting us against domestic and foreign predators. But where should we draw the line when those dual objectives conflict? Has the administration struck the right balance, or has it focused excessively on national security at the expense of civil liberties? Levy reviews the constitutional implications – as seen through a “powers of government” prism and a “rights of individuals” prism. Then he discusses several civil liberties controversies that have arisen in the aftermath of 9/11 – the PATRIOT Act, military tribunals, profiling, indefinite detention of U.S. citizens, and NSA warrantless domestic surveillance.
Losing Liberty, Expanding Government: A Guide to the Modern Supreme Court for Nonlawyers
The modern Supreme Court has permitted government to grow exponentially at the expense of individual rights. Levy examines the Court’s decisions and legal philosophy from a nonlawyer’s perspective. In the process, he will untangle some of the Court’s more complex opinions and explain their impact in lay terms. He also discusses judicial activism – the rallying cry of both liberals and conservatives who want to influence judicial appointments.
Gunmakers under Fire: City Lawsuits, Gun Control, and the Second Amendment
Dozens of cities and counties have sued gun makers for “negligently marketing” a “defective product.” Meanwhile, courts are examining whether the Second Amendment secures an individual’s right to bear arms and, if so, what restrictions government may place on that right. Levy argues that the claims against gun manufacturers are based on bad law and unwise public policy, and he contends that most gun control ordinances are unconstitutional infringements of Second Amendment rights.
Tobacco Wars: Extortion Masquerading as Law
For 40 years, tobacco companies had not been held liable for cigarette-related illnesses. Then, beginning in 1994, led by Florida, states across the country sued big tobacco to recover public outlays for medical expenses due to smoking. By changing the law to guarantee they would win in court, the states extorted a quarter-trillion-dollar settlement, which was passed along in higher cigarette prices. Basically, the tobacco companies had money; the states and their hired-gun attorneys wanted money; so the companies paid and the states collected. Then sick smokers got stuck with the bill. Levy discusses the states’ lawsuits, the sweetheart deal for the tobacco giants, and the legal and policy implications of smoking bans.
Can Federalism and Tort Reform Coexist?
Tort law is being exploited to enrich trial lawyers at the expense of deep-pocketed industries and their customers. Levy presents a sweeping indictment of abusive lawsuits in the United States and a blueprint for revamping tort law without trampling on traditional tenets of federalism. He also documents the need for reform while arguing that the federal government can play only a limited role.
Books by Robert A. Levy
Full biography of Robert A. Levy, including publications and media clips.