May 17, 2023 – Courts have long used the “fighting words” standard in determining whether speech includes a threat of imminent harm such that it’s not protected under the First Amendment.
“The problem with social media is, how do we evaluate imminence?” says U.W. Law School Professor Franciska Coleman.
Professor Coleman, who teaches constitutional law, will be one of three panelists discussing “cancel culture” June 15 at the opening plenary of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Annual Meeting and Conference in Milwaukee.
The plenary is titled “Cancel Culture: Threat to Free Speech or Vital Accountability Measure?” The other panelists will be retired federal court of appeals Judge Janice Brown and Judge William Griesbach, senior judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Professor Coleman has written extensively on cancel culture. She recently published a research paper titled “The Anatomy of Cancel Culture.”
In the paper, Coleman distinguishes the concepts of “consequence culture” and “cancel culture.”
According to Professor Coleman, cancel culture is aimed at speech that, while subjectively harmful, is properly beyond the reach of government regulation.
Consequence culture, Coleman said, is based do the notion that certain kinds of speech “can inflict violence … words injure individuals and it’s not just about offense.”
“One example of this is when the Holocaust Museum released a statement saying, ‘The Holocaust began with words,’” Professor Coleman said. “So, there’s this idea that words are actually a precursor to violence.”
About the 2023 Annual Meeting and Conference
This year’s AMC is in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, at the historic Pfister Hotel, just blocks from the shores of Lake Michigan and close to art centers, theaters, and the 3rd Ward.
See nationally-renowned plenary speakers, attend your choice of more than 20 CLE sessions to enhance your practice, and network and celebrate with your colleagues.
It’s a great excuse to visit Milwaukee – recently named by National Geographic magazine as one of the best destinations to travel to in 2023 – one of five U.S. places on this list of 25 “Best of the World” destinations.
Networking with Bench and Bar
AMC is the largest State Bar gathering of the bench and bar – providing opportunities for conversations with judges outside the courtroom. Meet judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and circuit courts from across Wisconsin.
Judges are among the presenters and speaker, and also have the opportunity to attend and earn judicial credit.
Your Choice of CLE Sessions – and Opportunities to Network
CLE sessions at AMC will cover trends, topics, and advice to boost your practice, including the Friday morning interactive ethics plenary – as well as over a dozen breaks, social events, and a networking luncheon on Thursday.
Customize your schedule to earn up to 12.5 CLE, EPR, LPM, and LAU credits (plus CLM credits for Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators members) on a vast array of topics for every practice area and experience level. Additional credits may be earned by watching select complimentary webcast replays during specific weeks in July and August.
Celebrate with Your Colleagues
On Wednesday, celebrate as Dean Dietrich is sworn in as the 68th president of the State Bar of Wisconsin – followed by the Marquette and U.W. law school alumni reception where all are invited.
On Thursday, join us as we applaud award recipients at the Member Recognition Celebration, followed by the Red Carpet Reception and social event.
Welcome Back, Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators
As they did last year, the Wisconsin Association of Legal Administrators (WALA) is holding its Annual Conference of Education in conjunction and cooperation with AMC, bringing attorneys and WALA members together to mix and mingle.
The Wednesday WALA sessions are available to all AMC attendees, and include topics on practice management, recruitment tactics in a tight job market, and data breaches and best practices to lower risk and mitigate harm. WALA attendees can earn up to 3.0 CLM credits from the Wednesday sessions and are invited to attend all of the AMC programs and breakouts with the full conference registration.
What's Included in Your Registration Fee
Registration includes access to plenary speaker sessions, CLE breakout sessions, WALA educational sessions, Legal Expo, continental breakfasts on Thursday and Friday, conference breaks, all receptions, celebrations, parties, and the chance for entry into prize drawings. It also includes conference course materials in downloadable formats.
AMC Registration: Reserve Your Spot by May 5 for Best Rate
Save on your registration when you register by the early early-bird deadline of April 28, 2023. Plus, first time member-attendees save an additional $100 off registration.
To register:
Stay at The Pfister: How to Get the Conference Rate
Reserve your room at The Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee, a historic hotel that opened in 1893. See all available hotel services and amenities.
Make your reservation by May 14, 2023, for the best room rates. To ensure you receive the conference discount, mention you’re with the State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Meeting & Conference when making your reservation by phone.
To reserve your room:
