August 20: Fair Courts Forum feat. former Chief Justice Marsha Ternus

On Tuesday, August 20, One Iowa will hold a Fair Courts Forum at the Thoreau Center in Des Moines, a project of the Iowa Fair Courts Coalition. Recent cases demonstrate that no matter the issue–health care, immigration, marriage equality, employment discrimination, privacy, or ethics–the judiciary will continue to play an increasingly important role in all our lives. Next week, One Iowa will facilitate a discussion on the importance of the courts and why a fair and independent judiciary is so important.

Featured speakers will include former Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Marsha Ternus, who was part of the unanimous Varnum v. Brien decision that paved the way for marriage equality in Iowa, Dean and Professor at Drake Law School Allan Vestal, and Legal Progress’ Campaign Manager Sandhya Bathija. One Iowa Executive Director Donna Red Wing and Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN) Executive Director Sue Dinsdale will moderate the discussion.

What: One Iowa Fair Courts Forum
When: Tuesday, August 20, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Where: Thoreau Center, 3500 Kingman Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50311
Who: Former Iowa Supreme Court Justice Marsha Ternus, Dean & Professor at Drake Law School Allan Vestal, Legal Progress Campaign Manager Sandhya Bathija, One Iowa Executive Director Donna Red Wing, Iowa Citizen Action Network Executive Director Sue Dinsdale
For more information or to RSVP: http://oneiowa.nationbuilder.com/faircourtsforum
Space is limited. Lunch will be provided. This is a public event and will be offered free of charge.

The Iowa Fair Courts Coalition is a coalition of organizations, businesses, individuals and policy makers who believe that access to fair and impartial courts is a crucial component of a healthy democracy. We value a strong judiciary that includes judges who are fair, competent, and who have a breadth of experiences. We advocate for a robust and healthy judiciary that values civil liberties, equality under the law, and above all justice. For more information about the Iowa Fair Courts Coalition, visit http://whycourtsmatteriowa.org.

The coalition currently includes: One Iowa, Americans for Democratic Action, Working Families Win, Iowa Citizen Action Network, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), QC Pride, Inc., and Metro Community Church of the Quad Cities.

RSVP today to reserve your spot!

About the featured panel speakers:

Marsha Ternus
Former Chief Justice Marsha Ternus was the first woman to serve as chief justice in the history of the Iowa Supreme Court, and was part of the unanimous decision Varnum v. Brien that paved the way for marriage equality in the state. In 2012, Ms. Ternus was presented the prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in recognition of the political courage and judicial independence she demonstrated in setting aside popular opinion to uphold the basic freedoms and security guaranteed to all citizens under the Iowa constitution.

Allan Vestal
Allan Vestal currently serves as Dean & Professor of Drake Law School. Previously, Mr. Vestal served at the University of Kentucky College of Law, and Washington & Lee University School of Law. He held a private practice of law for 10 years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he specialized in business and commercial transactions, regulated industries and civil trails and appeals. He earned his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from Yale University.

Sandhya Bathija
Sandhya Bathija currently serves as Campaign Manager for Legal Progress, a project of the Center for American Progress in Washington, D.C. Ms. Bathija has led media and communications campaigns on the American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) federal policy work, with a specific focus on immigrant rights, racial justice, and criminal justice. She holds a law degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and a bachelor of arts in magazine journalism from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.