The Convergence Law Institute uses a
diverse set of tools. Depending on the topic, the audience, and the situation,
these include:
Analytic Policy Papers
CLI staff members have written on a broad array of public policy issues, and
are skilled at incorporating the legal/policy/economic/political dimensions of
a problem into a coherent analysis.
Public Advocacy and Outreach
CLI staff members are also experienced writers of opeds, journal articles,
blogs, e-zine comments, and short papers designed to drive home an argument.
We have participated in many panels, made speeches, appeared on numerous radio
and television programs, and been interviewed and quoted by reporters on numerous
occasions.
We have lists of people interested in particular topics, which gives us an
ability to reach the various echo chambers that are important to debates over
policy.
Websites & Blogs
In addition to our main Convergence Law Institute website and its blog, we
can create subsidiary websites devoted to particular topics, as vehicles for
distributing our work and participating in public discussion.
Testimony to Congressional Committees
CLI staff members are veteran witnesses before the U.S. Congress.
Amicus briefs
An effective amicus brief does not focus on the purely legal dimensions
of a case - that is the job of the parties. An amicus brief should put
the controversy in its context and explain why one party should win as a matter
of good public policy, leaving it to the party itself to argue why the law supports
this result.
This truth has particular force in Supreme Court practice. Filing an amicus brief
at the certiorari stage is far more important than filing on the merits,
and at the cert stage the policy issues are absolutely crucial.
Comments to Regulatory Agencies
Many advocates regard a comment to an agency as the equivalent of a litigation
brief. This is error, because the rules of effectiveness are quite different.
James V. DeLong's article How
to Convince an Agency has been used as teaching material in courses
at the Yale Law School and Carnegie Mellon School of Management.
Coalition Building with Think Tanks and Academia
We have worked extensively in and with other think tanks, and with academicians,
and can use these connections to marshal support on particular issues.
Events
We can sponsor events of all kinds, ranging from brown bag lunches to full-dress
seminars and conferences.
Legal Expertise
We have an office-sharing arrangement with Kamlet Reichert, and can draw on
its staff for legal analysis and legal representation.
International Expertise
International issues are crucial to most industries, and their importance
can only grow. Our recent travels include Brussels, Milan, Prague, Rio de Janiero,
Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lampur,
and Jakarta. |
