First Monday In October 2004

On October 4, 2004, Myron Beldock, Esq., of Beldock Levine & Hoffman, acting as counsel for the petitioner, and Daniel F. Kolb, Esq., of Davis Polk & Wardwell, acting as Solicitor General of the State of New York, received the Gould Awards for Outstanding Advocacy. The honorees argued the case of Justine West v. New York, a hypothetical case examining the issue of whether New York's prohibition on same-sex marriages violates the Equal Protection Clause, and whether an official can be criminally prosecuted for solemnizing such marriages.

Myron Beldock arguing for the Petitioner.

Daniel F. Kolb arguing for the State of New York.

 

The 2004 First Monday in October Bench.

 

The Honorable Ernst H. Rosenberger of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, acted as Chief Justice. Preeta D. Bansal, Esq., of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, John K. Carroll, Esq., of Clifford Chance LLP, James E. Johnson, Esq., of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Alan Levine, Esq., of Kronish, Lieb, Weiner & Hellman LLP, Barry R. Ostrager, Esq., of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Susan Sommer, Esq., of Lambda Legal, and Maria T. Vullo, Esq., of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, and James Q. Walker, Esq. of Richards Spears Kibbe & Orbe LLP served as Associate Justices.

First Monday in October Programs

Year Case Title Issue Advocates
2004 West v. New York May the state prevent and criminalize marriage involving same sex couples? Myron Beldock & Daniel F. Kolb
2003 Court TV v. The State of New York Does New York State's prohibition on cameras in the courtroom violate the First Amendment? Burt Neuborne & Mary Jo White
2002 Al Zawahiri v. Ashcroft Attorney-Client Communications after 9/11: May the Government listen in? Gerald B. Lefcourt & Loretta E. Lynch
2001 McCarver v. North Carolina Does the Eighth Amendment prohibit the execution of a person with mental retardation? Paul J. Curran & Bryan A. Stevenson
2001 McCarver v. North Carolina Does the Eighth Amendment prohibit the execution of a person with mental retardation? Paul J. Curran & Bryan A. Stevenson
1999 Dickerson v. United States Police power in a free society: Can a person run from the police? Are Miranda warnings still required? Elkan Abramowitz & Charles A. Stillman
1998 Capital Cities/ABC v. Food Lion Investigative reporting: How far can the media go? Martin London & Frederick A.O. Schwarz, Jr.
1997 Thomas v. United States Jury nullification: May a jury ignore the law? May a court prevent it? Conrad K. Harper & Otto G. Obermaier
1996 Vacco v. Quill Is there a right to assisted suicide? David Boies & Evan A. Davis
1995 Troy v. New York Is New York's death penalty law constitutional? Floyd Abrams & Bernard W. Nussbaum
1994 X-Citement Video, Inc. v. Gottesman Is the federal child pornography statute constitutional? Sheila L. Birnbaum & Jay Topkis

First Monday Video Tapes and DVDs

Videotapes and DVDs of all First Monday in October arguments are available. These tapes and DVDs are excellent teaching tools. Videotapes and DVDs are $200 for the first tape and $50 for each additional tape or DVD. To order First Monday videotapes or DVDs, please complete the following form. Special pricing is available for bulk orders and public interest organizations. For more information on special pricing, contact Ms. Tuli Taylor by e-mail at ttaylor@appellatedefender.org or by phone at 212.402.4116