Webinar: Judging in a Time of Crisis

Times of peril have required adaptation and flexibility in administering constitutional protections and guarantees, especially with the onset of social-distancing and remote adjudication.  Even the Supreme Court is adjusting its time-honored traditions to conduct telephonic hearings, and federal courts around the country are carrying on business as usual, or attempting to maintain the status quo as much as possible, despite unparalleled technological, logistical, and security-based challenges.  Nowhere across the country have we seen a more malleable federal district court than the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.  Already faced with systemic challenges brought on by natural disasters throughout the past three years, including Hurricane Maria, several earthquakes, and numerous changes to its executive, the district has responded to persist in complying with its Article III obligations in times of crisis.  Chief Judge Gustavo Gelpi will share his insights on effective adjudication (both in substance as well as administration), interesting stories, and responses to any questions from the audience about how our federal judges handle crises.  Join us for a look into what’s going in inside the federal judiciary during this critical period.

About the Presenters

Chief Judge Gustavo Gelpi, United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico

Chief Judge Gelpi was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  He is a graduate of Brandeis University and Suffolk University Law School.  He commenced his career as law clerk to US District Judge Juan M. Perez-Giménez. This was followed by several years as an assistant federal defender, doing both trial and appellate work, plus a detail at the US Sentencing Commission.  He then switched tracks by joining the Puerto Rico Department of Justice and ultimately being appointed Puerto Rico’s Solicitor General, his favorite job as an attorney. After a brief stint in private corporate practice, he was appointed US Magistrate Judge, position he held for five years.  In 2006 President Bush, following Senate confirmation appointed him as an Article III US District Judge.  In 2018, he became Chief Judge for the District of Puerto Rico. Judge Gelpi has been a FBA member for 30 years.  He is past Puerto Rico Chapter President, and past FBA national president. He is also an adjunct professor of law at his alma mater and other universities, and teaches federal criminal practice as well as a seminar on constitutional issues in US territories.

Terence Liley, President, Capitol Hill Chapter, Federal Bar Association (moderator)

Clayton LaForge, Treasurer, Capitol Hill Chapter, Federal Bar Association (moderator)

Registration

Registration for this webinar is now closed.

Registration Fees

• FBA Member: $0
• Nonmember: $75

Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be made for cancellations received after the close of business on May 8, 2020. No-shows will be billed. Substitutions may be made at any time upon notification. Please contact Ariel White at awhite@fedbar.org with cancellation and/or substitution requests.

Please note that CLE credit is not offered for this webinar.

If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Caitlin Rider, Conference Manager.