Richmond Criminal Justice Forum

The Richmond Criminal Justice Forum (RCJF) is a new co-curricular program at the University of Richmond School of Law created for the purpose of inspiring and equipping students to pursue fulfilling careers in the criminal justice field. Directed by Professor Dave Johnson and supported by a student advisory board, the RCJF also serves the larger law community by providing engaging programming on a host of criminal justice related topics that foster important discussions about issues that impact us all.

Forum Events

  • February

    A Conversation with Women Criminal Justice Leaders
    February 1st, 12-1 p.m. in Room L171
    Co-Sponsored by Richmond Women’s Law
    Featured Speakers:
    Jessica Aber, U.S. Attorney for the eastern District of Virginia
    Tracy Paner, Chief Public Defender for the City of Richmond
    Emilee Hasbrouch, The Ram Law Firm

    When Pigs Flew: How Virginia became the First Southern State to Abolish the
    Death Penalty 
    February 16th, 12-1 p.m. in Room 102
    Featured Speakers:
    Doug Ramseur, Former Regional Capital Defender
    Prof. Corinna Lain

    Solitary: Rethinking Supermax Confinement
    February 23rd, 5:30 p.m. in Room 101
    Co-Sponsored by Criminal Law Society and The Death Penalty course 
    Join for a viewing of the HBO documentary, Solitary. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and the film will begin at 6 p.m. Following the viewing, there will be an informal, open discussion to unpack the film. 

    Brown Bag Lunch Series
    February 27th, 12-1 p.m. in Room L171
    Featured Speaker:Jessica Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District
    Join Ms. Aber for an informal brown bag lunch to hear about her work  and ask questions. Lunch is “bring your own” and will be from 12:00-1:00 pm in L171.

  • March

    Brown Bag Lunch Series
    March 13th, 12-1 p.m. in Room L171
    Featured Speaker: Ramin Fatehi, Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney
    Join Mr. Fatehi for an informal brown bag lunch to hear about his work and ask questions. Lunch is “bring your own” and will be from 12:00-1:00 pm in L171.

    Richmond Criminal Justixe Forum x Christian Law Fellowship (CLF) Networking Dinner
    March 14th, Sloop John B. Restaurant at Regency Square
    Featured Speakers: Amari Harris, General Counsel and Director of Equity and Operations for the VIDC;Carlos Hopkins, Partner at Gentry Locke and Former Virginia Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs; and Tiffany Booker, Chesterfield County Assistant Public Defender.
    Join RCJF and CLF for a networking dinner with local leaders. The featured speakers will talk with students about the intersection of their faith and their careers.

    Richmond Criminal Justixe Forum x Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA) Networking Dinner
    March 23rd, Sloop John B. Restaurant at Regency Square
    Featured Speakers:     Kim Gretes of the Chesterfield Commonwealth Attorney’s Office; Leigh Stansfield of the Chesterfield Public Defender Office; and Gianna Fienberg of the Richmond Public Defender Office.
    Join RCJF and SAGA for a networking dinner with local leaders. The featured speakers will talk with students about their career paths and challenges they have and continue to face in the field.

    Criminal Law Professors Panel
    March 28th, 12-1 p.m. in Room 101
    Join Professor’s Corinna Lain, Hank Chambers, Erin Collins and John Douglass for a discussion on the criminal classes they teach and how they relate to careers in criminal justice. Pizza will be provided for all attendees.

  • April
    More information coming soon.