Last updated on: 8/3/2015 | Author: ProCon.org

Allen Rostron, JD Biography

Title:
William R. Jacques Constitutional Law Scholar and Professor of Law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
Position:
Pro to the question "Is the ACLU Good for America?"
Reasoning:

“I believe that the ACLU is good for America. The ACLU’s work is a big reason why freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and other rights receive much greater protection today than they did in 1920 when the ACLU began. I don’t necessarily agree with the ACLU on every issue or want it to win every case in which it is involved, but even when I disagree with it, I’m glad there is an organization doing what the ACLU does. I think of it as being like a smoke detector. Sometimes it goes off and it’s really just a false alarm. But it’s important to have it there as a warning when there is danger. The ACLU fulfills that sort of function for our society by reminding us to be very cautious about situations where someone’s rights are at stake.”

Email to ProCon.org from Allen Rostron, JD, July 22, 2011
Theoretical Expertise Ranking:
    Experts
Individuals with PhDs and JDs or equivalent advanced degrees in fields relevant to the ACLU. Also top-level government officials (such as foreign leaders, US presidents, Founding Fathers, Supreme Court Justices, members of legislative bodies, cabinet members, military leaders, etc.) with positions relevant to the ACLU.
Involvement and Affiliations:
  • William R. Jacques Constitutional Law Scholar and Professor of Law, University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Law, 2003-present
  • Lecturer, Kaplan Preliminary Multistate Bar Review (PMBR) Lectures, 2007-present
  • Guest Professor of Law, Peking University (Beijing, China), 2004
  • Senior Staff Attorney, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, 2002-2003
  • Staff Attorney, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, 1999-2002
  • Volunteer Attorney, Office of the Appellate Defender, 1997-1999
  • Litigation Associate, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, 1995-1999
  • Law Clerk for Judge Thomas S. Ellis, III, US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 1994-1995
Education:
  • JD, Yale Law School, 1994
  • BA, History and Economics, University of Virginia, 1991
Other:
  • Recipient of the following awards from the University of Missouri-Kansas City: Outstanding Professor of the Year, 2007; UMKC Faculty Scholar Award, 2006; Elmer F. Pierson Outstanding Teaching Award, 2005; and Daniel L. Brenner Faculty Publishing Award, 2004-2005