The power of prosecutors and the struggle for criminal justice reform in America

This presentation will discuss efforts to reduce incarceration in the United States and would then focus on the potential impact of recent moves by activists to challenge the re-elections of prosecutors who oppose reform efforts. It will also touch on the issue of relations between police and minority groups in America. Elections this month in Chicago and Cincinnati (in which prosecutors were denied re-election) make this a timely topic.

Professor Ben Trachtenberg

Professor Trachtenberg joined the University of Missouri School of Law faculty in 2010. Before coming to Missouri, Professor Trachtenberg was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Brooklyn Law School from 2008-2010 where he taught Criminal Law and Environmental Law.  From 2006-2008, he was a Litigation Associate at Covington & Burling LLP assigned to white collar investigations and civil securities cases. While in practice, Professor Trachtenberg also handled pro bono representations in housing and employment law matters.

Professor Trachtenberg received his J.D. from Columbia Law School where he was Articles Editor on the Columbia Law Review and recipient of several academic awards. He has an M.A. in International Studies from the University of Limerick, Ireland and a B.A. from Yale in Political Science, with distinction. After graduating from law school, Professor Trachtenberg clerked at the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit with Judge Jose A. Cabranes.

Professor Trachtenberg has published in the Florida Law Review, the Oregon Law Review, the Hastings Law Journal, the Nebraska Law Review, the New York Times, and the ABA Journal, among other publications.

Professor Trachtenberg teaches Criminal Procedure, Evidence, Professional Responsibility, and Trial Practice.

In 2012, Professor Trachtenberg received the Gold Chalk Award for excellence in teaching from the University of Missouri Graduate Professional Council.

Further details

ICEL Director: Raymond J Friel, School of Law, University of Limerick

Email: raymond.friel@ul.ie; ICEL Website: http://www.ul.ie/law/research/icel 

Venue: BM015 Moot Courtroom

Time: 4pm

RSVP: raymond.friel@ul.ie