Author: Fazio, Meagan

Mercy, Justice and Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is increasingly entering the legal system, raising questions about what makes human judgment unique.

Many fear that automation could erode the “human essence” of legal decision‑making. But what exactly is that essence, and is it worth preserving given our own tendencies toward bias and error? Drawing on longstanding theological and philosophical debates about mercy and justice, this talk considered how humans and machines should share responsibility in law.

Justice concerns what people deserve, while mercy is by definition undeserved and cannot be fully explained by legal rules. Because of this, even if machines can help produce more consistent or just outcomes, the merciful dimension of judgment will be far harder to automate.

This lecture on February 11 commemorated the investiture of Kiel Brennan-Marquez as the Wallace Stevens Professor of Law.

Elizabeth A. Alquist ’94 Named Connecticut’s Intellectual Property Practitioner of the Year

Elizabeth A. Alquist ’94, Intellectual Property Partner at Day Pitney LLP, was named Intellectual Property Practitioner of the Year at the Second Annual Connecticut Distinguished IP Practitioners’ Dinner, held on November 13. Alquist was nominated for her “exceptional skill in managing complex intellectual property disputes, proven record of success in high-stakes litigation, and steadfast dedication to serving clients and the broader legal community.”

Deborah Witkin ’86 to be Honored by the Connecticut Bar Association

Deborah Witkin ’86 will receive the Charles J. Parker Legal Services award at the Connecticut Bar Association’s annual awards ceremony, Celebrate with the Stars, on Thursday, March 12. Attorney Witkin is the former Executive Director of Connecticut Legal Services (CLS). She retired in January 2026 after 39 years of distinguished service.

The Charles J. Parker Legal Services Award is presented to a member of the Connecticut Bar who has a deep and abiding interest in and dedication to the delivery of legal services to the disadvantaged in Connecticut.

Leslie Levin Featured in Law.com Analysis of Firms’ Deals with Trump Administration

Professor Leslie Levin was quoted in a Law.com article examining the impact of nine major law firms’ pro bono agreements with the Trump administration. Professor Levin noted that most immediate consequences, such as attorney departures and client reactions, have likely already occurred and observed that Paul Weiss faced heightened scrutiny due to its history and its early decision to settle.