A Better Way to Teach Law School: Laurie Levenson at TEDxUCLA

What if all lawyers had a chance to experience the legal system as the unjustly accused do?

Laurie L. Levenson, is a Professor of Law, William M. Rains Fellow, the David W. Burcham Chair in Ethical Advocacy, and Director of the Center for Legal Advocacy at Loyola Law School. She teaches evidence, criminal law, criminal procedure, ethics, anti-terrorism, and white collar crime. She served as Loyola's Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 1996-1999. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Professor Levenson is also the Director of the Loyola Center for Ethical Advocacy. Professor Levenson was the 2003 recipient of Professor of the Year from both Loyola Law School and the Federal Judicial Center.

Prior to joining the Loyola Law School faculty in 1989, Professor Levenson served for eight years as an Assistant United States Attorney in Los Angeles. While a federal prosecutor, Professor Levenson tried a wide variety of federal criminal cases, including violent crimes, narcotics offenses, white collar crimes, and immigration and public corruption cases. She served as Chief of the Training Section and Chief of the Criminal Appellate Section of the U.S. Attorney's Office. In 1988, she received the Attorney General's Director's Award for Superior Performance. Additionally, she received commendations from the FBI, IRS, U.S. Postal Service, and DEA.

Professor Levenson lectures regularly throughout the country and internationally for the Federal Judicial Center, National Judicial College, international bar associations, bar review courses, community groups and legal societies. She also testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the California Legislature regarding SB 490 (Death Penalty). Professor Levenson has been a legal commentator for CBS, CNN, ABC, NBC and NPR. She has commented on a wide range of high-publicity cases, including the O.J. Simpson murder trial, Rodney King beating trial, Menendez murder trials, Michael Jackson molestation case, Scott Peterson murder trial, Bernard Madoff investigation, Clinton impeachment, Robert Blake murder trial, trial of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, prosecution of Anna Nicole Smith's physicians, UCI Medical Scandal, and prosecution of Dr. Conrad Murray.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)