Greg Sakall: Part-time Prof. of Practice & Guest Lecturer, James E. Rogers College of Law, U of A; Judge, Pima County Superior Court, Tucson, Arizona
Monday, April 20, 2026, 3:00-4:00 pm, Koffler Great Room at ASA and zoom
In order for us to better understand the current defense on the basis of immunity by government officials, including law enforcement officers, Greg Sakall’s lecture will focus on the origins, development, and current status of immunity defenses. Immunity has its origins in the Roman Empire and continued through the English common law and then was adopted by the United States. He’ll explain the difference between absolute and qualified immunity that can be claimed. In terms of presidential immunity, he’ll trace the cases involving Presidents Nixon, Clinton, and Trump. In the case of law enforcement officers, he’ll focus on qualified immunity defenses to civil rights claims, as well as both federal and state legislative efforts to modify or eliminate the defense. He’ll point out how federal law enforcement officers’ ability to defend their actions is based upon the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.