Laurie Levenson
Encyclopedia
Laurie L. Levenson is the William M. Rains Fellow and Director of the Center for Ethical Advocacy at Loyola Law School
. She has written books on California criminal law
and is a frequent television commentator on criminal legal issues, first coming to fame as a frequent commentator for CBS
in the OJ Simpson trial. She has written about the ethics of being a television commentator.
Levenson graduated with a B.A.
from Stanford University
and a Juris Doctor
(J.D.
) from UCLA School of Law
, where she was chief articles editor of the UCLA Law Review
. After clerking for Judge James Hunter III
on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
, she worked as an assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California, where she rose to the position of assistant division chief. She joined the Loyola faculty in 1989.
Along with Erwin Chemerinsky
, she has argued that a "meaningful public trial in the 1990s requires that it be broadcast because few people realistically can attend court proceedings."
Levenson was critical of Alan Dershowitz
for his representation of Simpson, saying it was not a "good cause"; Dershowitz responded by criticizing her as someone who exploited the case "for her own self-aggrandizement" and didn't understand the importance of the role of the defense attorney.
Levenson serves on the Board of Directors for Bet Tzedek Legal Services - The House of Justice
.
Loyola Law School
Loyola Law School is the law school of Loyola Marymount University, a private Catholic university in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions, in Los Angeles, California. Loyola was established in 1920. Like Loyola University Chicago School of Law and Loyola University New Orleans College of Law , it...
. She has written books on California criminal law
California criminal law
California Criminal Law generally follows the law of the United States. However, there are both substantive and procedural differences between how the United States Federal Government and California prosecute alleged violations of criminal law...
and is a frequent television commentator on criminal legal issues, first coming to fame as a frequent commentator for CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
in the OJ Simpson trial. She has written about the ethics of being a television commentator.
Levenson graduated with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
and a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
(J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
) from UCLA School of Law
UCLA School of Law
The UCLA School of Law is the law school of the University of California, Los Angeles. It has been approved by the American Bar Association since 1950. It joined the Association of American Law Schools in 1952.- History :...
, where she was chief articles editor of the UCLA Law Review
UCLA Law Review
The UCLA Law Review is a scholarly journal founded in 1953 and published by the students of the UCLA School of Law. Six issues are released every year....
. After clerking for Judge James Hunter III
James Hunter III
James Hunter III was an American jurist who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit....
on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts for the following districts:* District of Delaware* District of New Jersey...
, she worked as an assistant United States Attorney for the Central District of California, where she rose to the position of assistant division chief. She joined the Loyola faculty in 1989.
Along with Erwin Chemerinsky
Erwin Chemerinsky
Erwin Chemerinsky is an American lawyer and law professor. He is a prominent scholar in United States constitutional law and federal civil procedure...
, she has argued that a "meaningful public trial in the 1990s requires that it be broadcast because few people realistically can attend court proceedings."
Levenson was critical of Alan Dershowitz
Alan Dershowitz
Alan Morton Dershowitz is an American lawyer, jurist, and political commentator. He has spent most of his career at Harvard Law School where in 1967, at the age of 28, he became the youngest full professor of law in its history...
for his representation of Simpson, saying it was not a "good cause"; Dershowitz responded by criticizing her as someone who exploited the case "for her own self-aggrandizement" and didn't understand the importance of the role of the defense attorney.
Levenson serves on the Board of Directors for Bet Tzedek Legal Services - The House of Justice
Bet Tzedek Legal Services - The House of Justice
Bet Tzedek is an American non-profit human and poverty rights organization, internationally recognized for its work in providing unique advocacy and support for people living in poverty, and for communities victimized by discrimination and civil rights abuses....
.