School of Communication Launches New Salon Series Featuring Notable Speakers April 23

The School of Communication and Media (SCM) will present Lawrence Lessig, professor of Law and Ethics at Harvard University, at a panel discussion event scheduled for April 23 at 8 p.m. in the Jed Leshowitz Recital Hall, at the John J. Cali School of Music. The event, entitled “An Evening with Lawrence Lessig: Money and Politics, Ethics and Social Change,” will be the inaugural event for SCM’s Salon Series – a new University program, sponsored by James Leitner, which invites notable guest speakers to share their expertise and thoughts to the Montclair community.

Lessig is director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University and holds the Roy L. Furman Professorship of Law and Leadership at Harvard Law School. Over the years, he has been a leading proponent of digital freedoms. Recently, he has focused his efforts on discovering solutions to curb the corrupting influence of money in politics. He is the author of the recently published e-book, Lesterland: The Corruption of Congress and How to End It.

In 2011, Lessig founded Rootstrikers, an organization dedicated to reducing the influence of money in Congress. Lessig examines the issue in his book, Republic, Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress – and a Plan to Stop It. The New York Times recently wrote about Lessig’s vision, citing it as “…at once profoundly pessimistic – the integrity of the nation is collapsing under the best of intentions – and deeply optimistic. Simple legislative surgery, he says, can put the nation back on the path to greatness.”

Joining Lessig for this panel discussion will be SCM director Merrill Brown and Brigid Harrison, professor of Political Science and Law at the University.

“Lawrence is one of the world’s most important scholar-activists on digital matters, ethics and political reform,” said Brown. “It is an honor to have him visit our University. Brigid and I are thrilled to have the opportunity to discuss a number of timely topics with him and to hear his thoughts on pressing issues such as campaign finance and the upcoming gubernatorial race in New Jersey.”

Prior to the discussion event, Lessig will be welcomed by officials from the University and other notable guests at a private dinner on campus.

Visit here for more information about Lessig. Although the discussion event is free and open to the public, space is limited, so e-mail RSVP to Emily Eldridge.