The Brandeis Center held its first National Conference for Law Students in Los Angeles on January 2nd and January 3rd. This is part of the new initiative for law school chapters of the Brandeis Center. The conference focused on educating and engaging law student members of the LDB law school chapters by offering a series of lectures and panel discussions presented by several distinguished attorneys and scholars. Students from the LDB law school chapters of UCLA, American University Washington College of Law, and the University of Pennsylvania were in attendance for the event. The conference concentrated on a variety of legal advocacy and policy issues pertinent to the Brandeis Center’s mission, such as freedom of speech, advocacy for civil rights, and combating anti-Semitism. The conference began with notable Jewish advocate and co-founder of StandWithUs, Roz Rothstein. In her lecture, “The Boycott Movement Against Israel: Their Goals and Strategies,” Rothstein stressed the importance of opposing anti-Semitism by disproving allegations using hard evidence. She advocated that the best way to refute anti-Israel and anti-Jewish propaganda is to document the lies being perpetuated by Jews and Israel, and to be aware of what is happening on university campuses in the United States. The Brandeis Center’s own Kenneth L. Marcus echoed the same sentiment in his lecture, “Combating Campus Anti-Semitism.” Marcus highlighted the fact that the resurgence of anti-Semitism on university campuses often masquerades under the guise of criticism of Israel. While mere criticism of a country alone is not only protected by the First Amendment right to freedom of speech but also important in creating policy changes, what is happening on university campuses is far more than just benign criticism. In fact, as Marcus noted, many proponents of the BDS movement are utilizing it as a vehicle to perpetuate hate and lies against the Jewish people and Israel. By using the EUMC and the U.S. Department of State’s own definitions of anti-Semitism, Marcus highlighted the three-prong test of differentiating criticism of Israel from anti-Semitism: (1) the demonization of Israel and Jews; (2) holding Israel to a standard that other countries are not held to; and (3) delegitimizing Israel as a nation. He then gave examples in ways the Brandeis Center is engaging in legal advocacy in the fight against anti-Semitism, and provided best practice responses to anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incidents.as a tool for students to get involved on their campuses. Distinguished Brandeis Center staff attorney, Danit Sibovits, then engaged the students in a roundtable to discuss how they could lead their individual university chapters in battling campus anti-Semitism. She highlighted that advocating for the Jewish voice on university campuses is a joint effort, and encouraged the students to get involved. Connect to legal advocacy initiative and combatting anti-Semitism and link to one blog entry about legal advocacy/best practices guide The first day’s events ended with a wonderful dinner at Marina del Rey, and a screening of the award-winning film, Unmasked: Judeophobia. The film chronicles the rise of anti-Jewish ideology across the world, and examines the phenomenon from a historical perspective. Conference attendees were treated to a private question and answer session with filmmaker Gloria Greenfield after the screening. I had the pleasure of beginning the second day’s events with a lecture entitled “Campus Anti-Semitism and the Freedom of Speech.” The lecture focused on the premise that First Amendment free speech rights are at the utmost importance in the United States, and should always be vehemently protected. However, they should be protected and applied equally to all people and political views. Proponents of the BDS movement often claim that those with pro-Jewish or pro-Israel views seek to infringe upon their First Amendment right to freedom of speech. However, by using many examples, my lecture highlighted that this was not this case. That, in fact, those with pro-Israel or pro-Jewish views often attempt to engage in positive dialogue, and that incidents like the Irvine 11 serve to silence the pro-Israel or Jew voice and infringe upon their First Amendment rights. Distinguished international lawyer, Professor Abraham “Avi” Bell, then delivered a lecture entitled, “International Law Arguments about the Arab-Israeli Conflict,” which focused on the international law arguments used against Israel. Bell articulated many of the blatant lies used as fodder against Israel, and highlighted the double standard Israel is held to in the international eye. He urged conference attendees to go on the offense in refuting the misrepresented statistics and distortions of facts. Finally, eminent international human rights lawyer, Richard D. Heideman, ended the conference with a power lecture, “Legal Advocacy: Speaking Out for Justice in the Court of Public Opinion.” Heideman, world-famous legal practitioner, civil leader, and former President of B’nai B’rith International, stressed the importance of making a passionate commitment to seeking justice for all people. He reminded conference attendees that the Jewish people have always been committed to democracy and freedom for all, both in the United States and abroad. Finally, he echoed the tenet of the entire conference, which was that young attorneys, law students, and Jewish advocates should promote equality for all people and fight the good fight in combating anti-Semitism.