Chair's Message

At the October 1999 Administrative Law Conference to be held October 14-16 at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., the Section will honor John F. Duffy for his article Administrative Common Law and Judicial Review. Professor Duffy's article offers refreshing insights into administrative law. His conclusion is particularly apt for our Section. Professor Duffy writes: ARecently, it has been said that administrative law has become a rather dull subject. Don't believe it. The story of administrative law in the twentieth century is about power, politics, personalities, and revolutions in legal thought. We are hardly at the end of that story."

Similarly, Judge Patricia M. Wald in Thirty Years of Administrative Law in the D.C. Circuit has written, AWhy do we care about administrative law? The quickest answer is that in a big, complex bureaucratic nation like ours all law (including even criminal law) eventually involves administrative decision-making, and virtually all rights eventually have to be secured in whole or in part through the administrative process."

The Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice through its committees and Council addresses the full array of administrative process and practice issues. The Section is open to all who wish to participate in its work.

In the coming year, the Section is undertaking several initiatives. First, the Section has committed to a review of administrative procedure, which when completed will provide a comprehensive and thoughtful statement of the law relating to the Administrative Procedure Act. Second, the Section is committed to publishing an annual Administrative Law Developments, to provide its members, government officials, and others with a concise review of the progress of the administrative law and procedure. It is hoped that over the ensuing years the Administrative Law Developments, along with the Statement of Administrative Law and the Administrative Law Review, as well as current books on rulemaking, lobbying and dispute resolution, will serve as strong representatives of the Section's scholarship and practical expertise in administrative and regulatory law.

The Section is also committed to testifying before Congress and appearing before the executive branch on regulatory reform issues. Under the leadership of Professor Michael Asimow, a special committee has been formed to review and formulate Section policy on initiatives relating to federalism. Throughout the year other opportunities to comment on legislation will occur. Members are encouraged to become involved in the process.

Last, final plans for the Section's annual Administrative Law Conference are well underway, under the leadership of Chair-Elect Ron Levin and Immediate Past Chair Ron Cass. As you will note elsewhere in the News, this program covers a wide range of committee showcase programs, an expanded program on administrative law developments, and the second installment on the Administrative Procedure Act project, as well as, our annual dinner, which is honoring the Attorneys General of the United States.

The Section has always been open to participation by its members and seeks a wide array of political, social and economic views. I encourage you to fully participate in the Section's activities.