By Nitsan Ayali
Disbarred lawyer Lynne Stewart will speak along with about 20 others at the University’s legal-ethics conference “Lawyering at the Edge: Unpopular Clients, Difficult Cases, Zealous Advocates” taking place Oct. 14 through 16. The purpose of the conference is to discuss and inform law students about difficult clients and specific case studies.
Stewart was convicted in 2005 of providing material support to terrorism by smuggling messages out of prison for her client, Omar Abdul Rahman, also known as the “Blind Sheikh.” Abdul Rahman followers were responsible for the first World Trade Center bombing and the massacre of 58 tourists in Luxor, Egypt.
Some students are opposed to inviting someone to the University convicted of aiding terrorists, because it could be construed as supporting criminals. “[Stewart] turned her back on our country, committed treason and doesn’t deserve the right to speak at Hofstra,” sophomore Stephanie Vallejo said.
Melissa Connolly, vice president of University Relations, explained the law school does not support or endorse what Stewart says, but having her speak will provide a unique experience for students.
“Even though she was disbarred and associated with terrorists, it will be interesting to hear her speak, even if you do not agree with her opinions or behavior,” sophomore Ilyssa Spergel said.
Stewart is not the only controversial speaker invited to speak, Connolly said. Some Guantanamo Bay detainees were invited as well. Many worry the conference will turn into a similar situation to Columbia University hosting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Stewart, however, will speak for just twenty minutes, followed by a small question forum.
“I disagree with publicizing anti-American views. We should give her free speech, but she goes against free and safe America by committing a form of treason,” said Brent Weitzberg, the University Student Government Association president.
Junior Elizabeth Swartz took a more moderate view of the situation. “Anyone who wants to speak can and should. Even though what Stewert did is viewed as terrorism, we can’t simply ignore opposing arguments on the basis of personal morals, which vary from person to person.”
In support of Stewart’s invitation, Dr. Mark Lamont Hill of Temple University said during a Fox News Channel interview there were few better to invite than someone with Stewert’s level of expertise in “lawyering on the edge.” If a conference were held about nationalism, then he would invite black nationalists and white nationalists; regardless of how despicable they may be viewed.

Leftist lawyer convicted of aiding terrorists, Lynne Stewart, to speak at the University. (Associated Press)