2007 Press Releases
US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will open International Judicial Conference in Riga
Riga, June 27, 2007. –The U.S. Ambassador to Latvia Catherine Todd Bailey is pleased to announce the visit of US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to Latvia. Justice Alito will be the guest of honor at a two day International Judicial Conference July 2 – 3 hosted by the United States Embassy, the Supreme Court of Latvia, and the Latvian Ministry of Justice. Justice Alito is a member of the US Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States.
Justice Alito remarked, "I am delighted to be a part of this exciting event and look forward to my visit to Latvia. The Judicial Conference will, I am sure, be an interesting and informative forum."
Ambassador Bailey is also happy to inform that we are expecting over two hundred participants from seven different countries. High level officials from Moldova, Georgia, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania and the United States will join their Latvian colleagues to discuss issues related to ethics, reform, and transparency.
Guests speakers at the conference will include the President of Latvia Vaira Vike Freiberga, The Prime Minister of Latvia Aigars Kalvitis, US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Latvian Chief Justice Andris Gulans, Latvian Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins, and high level academic experts from the United States.
Professor Geoffrey Hazard, Law Professor in various universities in the United States, is an expert in Civil Procedure, Federal Jurisdiction and Professional Ethics. He is author or co-author of 16 books and many articles.
Professor Ronald D. Rotunda, a professor of law from George Mason University is the author of several treatises that are among the most widely cited modern authorities on constitutional law and procedure and professional ethics.
The third academic speaker is Professor Stephen Burbank from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and has extensive experience in regards to Judicial Discipline, Judicial independence and accountability and has been invited to testify before congressional committees on numerous occasions
Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey said, “The rule of law is vital to the success of any democracy. Through this conference we hope to foster a discussion about the challenges that any nation faces when building a strong judiciary. I personally invite the media to assist us in bringing these issues to the public arena.”
U.S. Embassy, Riga, Public Affairs Section
Smilšu iela 7
Rīga, LV 1050
Phone: 371 750-9022
Internet: http://riga.usembassy.gov
Media specialist’s e-mail: dilanes@state.gov; lubinad@state.gov