Representing Justice: Invention, Controversy, and Rights in City-States and Democratic Courtrooms by Professors Judith Resnik and Dennis Curtis, with critical commentary by Emily Bazelon

Judith Resnik and Dennis Curtis
Representing Justice:  Invention, Controversy,  and Rights in City-States and Democratic Courtrooms
Wednesday, December 15, at 6:15 p.m 
Labyrinth Books
290 York St., New Haven, CT

The Lillian Goldman Law Library invites you to a discussion of an important new book by Professors Judith Resnik and Dennis Curtis, with critical commentary by Emily Bazelon.    

Representing Justice is both a visually stunning book and an impressive work of scholarship.  It maps the remarkable run of the icon of Justice, a woman with scales and sword, and by tracing the development of public spaces dedicated to justice, the authors explore the evolution of adjudication into its modern form as well as the intimate relationship between the courts and democracy. The authors analyze how Renaissance rites of judgment turned into democratic rights, requiring governments to respect judicial independence, provide open and public hearings, and accord access and dignity to every person. With over 220 images, readers can see both the longevity of aspirations for justice and the transformation of courts, as well as understand that, while venerable, courts are also vulnerable institutions that should not be taken for granted.

Judith Resnik is the Arthur Limon Professor of Law at Yale Law School.

Dennis Curtis is Clinical Professor Emeritus and Professorial Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School. 

Emily Bazelon is Senior Research Scholar in Law and Truman Capote Fellow for Creative Writing and Law at Yale Law School.

“The scope of the book is breathtaking. Through the iconography of justice, Resnik and Curtis chart the history of courts and public justice and compellingly make the case for the central role of adjudication to democracy.  The combination of haunting and often visceral imagery with powerful analysis makes the book both a joy to read and an inspiration.” —Dame Hazel Genn, Dean of the Faculty of Laws, University College London “