Law, Justice & Culture I & II | Tuscany, Italy | July 2008
In 2008, we are once again returning to Tuscany to explore the relationship between law, justice and culture but this year, we are offering two exciting, week-long seminars. As more fully described below, the first week we will debate the concept of culture and its impact on law and justice. This is our fourth year to host this program and each year, it gets better and better. For the second seminar, we are continuing to explore the themes of law, justice and culture but will focus on the relationship between law, politics and religion. The second program is independent of the first week; therefore, our participants need not have attended "Law, Justice & Culture I" in order to join us for "Law, Justice & Culture II."

We will return to the Val d'Orcia valley, arguably the most beautiful region of Tuscany, famous for its hill towns and breathtaking landscapes. The seminars will take place in three magnificent villas, which are located a short distance from each other and closely situated to many noteworthy towns and midway between Florence and Rome. During free time, participants can visit the charming hilltop town of Montalcino, explore Pienza's architecture, or tour Montepulciano's vineyards.

While the touring and sightseeing are certain to be stunning, the lodging itself is quite spectacular. All three villas have been carefully restored and beautifully furnished by the same celebrated architect and interior decorator. Our participants will find rest and relaxation in the living rooms, bedrooms and outdoor gardens, all while absorbing the astounding scenery. The cuisine, prepared by Tuscan chefs, is superb and is accompanied by magnificent local wines while our guests are serenaded by world-class musicians. The combination of the seminars' engaging materials, the enchanting villas, and the elegant beauty of the region ensures that this will be an unforgettable experience.

Law Justice & Culture I: July 5-12, 2008
For the fourth year, we will explore such questions as: To what extent do cultural mores and values shape a society's concept of justice? What is the relationship between a culture's idea of justice and its laws? How do major aspects of a culture—religion, art, education, philosophy—influence a society's concept of justice and that society's laws? To explore these issues, we turn to a diverse collection of materials ranging from Boccaccio's The Decameron and Cicero's The Laws to Dunant's The Birth of Venus and the Constitution of Afghanistan. From the sumptuous accommodations and local cuisine to the thought-provoking discussions, this seminar will prove to be an unforgettable experience.

Law, Justice & Culture II: July 12-19, 2008
For this week, we have carefully selected new readings and fresh topics for discussing the relationship between law, politics and religion. The materials will include Sophocles' Antigone, Augustine's City of God, and Virgil's The Aeneid, to name only a few. The facilitators will present classic and contemporary writings, provocative works of literature, and famous films to debate important topics such as: To what extent do cultural, political and religious values shape a society's concept of justice? What is the appropriate relationship for religion in government and politics? How is justice defined in a secular society as compared to a religious society? With our latest program, we hope to reunite our alumni from past years and attract new faces to procure a unique mix of ideas, opinions and legal backgrounds.

The Tenth Annual Justice Institute for the Legal Profession Seminar | Newark, Ohio | October 15-18, 2008
Bringing together experienced members of the Ohio bench, bar and academy, we will meet again this fall for an intensive discussion designed to deepen the understanding of legal ethics and professionalism. As we have done in the past, the discussions will center around classic and contemporary "Great Readings" from literature, history and philosophy. Our accomplished facilitators will probe and challenge our participants as they revisit the values and aspirations that brought each to the law. We're particularly excited about reaching this milestone of ten years of the Institute and are looking forward to passionate debates and exuberant celebrations.

Various Law Firms
As we have done in the past, we are presenting seminars to various law firms and legal associations throughout Ohio. Each seminar is designed for the organization's culture and the areas that they wish to explore. These seminars are presented at a fraction of the cost of traditional CLE's and have the benefit of improving communication among attorneys, increasing morale, and providing an intellectual challenge for all attorneys.