For Immediate Release August 15, 2005

For More Information Contact: Diane Brown, 317-274-7711 habrown@iupui.edu

Law School Symposium Addresses Integrity Question: Do Public Servants Have the Public Trust?

INDIANAPOLIS - An award-winning investigative reporter turned watchdog director will be a featured speaker during an IUPUI symposium on the perceived integrity of state and local government officials and employees.

The IU School of Law-Indianapolis's Program on Law and State Government will present "Integrity in Public Service: Living Up to the Public Trust?" on Thursday, Sept. 29 at the law school, 530 West New York St. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The symposium will conclude at 3:45 p.m.

Roberta Baskin, former producer for "20/20" and correspondent for "48 Hours" and "Now with Bill Moyers," will deliver the morning address, "Watching the Watchdogs," from 9:35 to 10:35 a.m.

As a journalist, Baskin uncovered public corruption, health and safety violations, drug testing inequities and unfair labor conditions by American companies overseas.

Earlier this year she was appointed executive director of The Center for Public Integrity, headquartered in Washington, D.C. The center, a nonprofit nonpartisan organization, conducts investigation research and reporting on public policy issues.

"As the newly appointed executive director of The Center for Public Integrity, Ms. Baskin will bring a unique perspective of the confluence of law and governance and public integrity," said Cynthia Baker, director of the Program on Law and State Government at IU School of Law-Indianapolis. "Along with other symposium faculty, including general counsel to Gov. Mitch Daniels and renowned academics and policymakers across the state and nation, Ms. Baskin will contribute depth and breadth to a subject often addressed quite linearly."

The law school symposium is the collaborative effort of Program on Law and State Government student fellows Michael Montagano and Shariq Siddiqui. Awarded annually on a competitive basis, Program on Law and State Government fellowships enable two students from the law school to work with Baker to contribute to the contemporary scholarship of legal issues facing state governments.

"In choosing state government and legal responses to the issues of public integrity, Mr. Montagano and Mr. Siddiqui have collaborated to bring what will be an excellent symposium on this topic to our community," Baker said.

Seminar registration fee is $155 for state government judges and attorneys, $185 for others.

Five hours of continuing legal education ethics credit are available for eligible individuals attending the event.

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