The Origins of Our Law: From Ancient Times to the Declaration of Independence and Constitution
Date: Dec 17, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.
Location: New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick, and Online
Member Price: $177.00
Non-Member Price: $209.00
Section Price: $0.00
Areas of Law: Civil, For All Attorneys
Earn up to 4 credits, including 1.9 in Ethics! (More Information)
Featured Speaker
Moderator
- Justice Michael Noriega
- New Jersey Supreme Court
Presenters
- Justice Barry T. Albin, (Ret.)
- Lowenstein Sandler LLP
- Hon. Natalie S. Watson, J.S.C.
- Superior Court of New Jersey, Monmouth County
- Hon. Nelson Johnson, J.S.C. (Ret.)
- Author and Historian
Every argument you make in court has a backstory - and some of them are 4,000 years old. Register today for The Origins of Our Law: From Ancient Times to the Declaration of Independence and Constitution to tap into the latest strategies you need to know from some of the state's leading experts, so that you can confidently navigate even the most complex matters that come your way. As an attendee, you will learn the path of legal thought from Hammurabi's Code through Greece and Rome, and how to use that knowledge to get the best results in the matters you handle. Moderated by New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Michael Noriega, our panel of retired New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Barry Albin, Judge Natalie Watson and retired Judge Nelson Johnson will show you how the Founders understood the legal and political traditions they inherited.
Beyond the ancient world, the panel will detail the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy, whose Great Law of Peace put principles such as separation of powers, checks and balances, and the authority of women into practice long before Philadelphia. You will learn how these historical frameworks shaped the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, so you can bring a deeper perspective to your own legal arguments. You will come away with a clearer view of why our law is built the way it is, leaving you better able to advocate for your clients today.
Learn the latest strategies for getting the best results in applying the foundational principles of our legal system and the traditions that shaped the Constitution, including:
- The path of legal thought from Hammurabi's Code through Greece and Rome.
- How the Iroquois Confederacy and the Great Law of Peace established early models for separation of powers and checks and balances.
- The historical authority of women in the Iroquois legal structure.
- How the Founders understood and applied inherited legal traditions in their own words.
- What the historical origins of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution mean for your practice today.
Make your plans to attend today.
Program Agenda:
- 9 a.m. | Introduction
- 9:05 a.m. | Ancient Mesopotamia - Hammurabi’s Code; The Ten Commandments - Judge Johnson and Panel Discussion
- Hammurabi's Code included the protection of all people, the moral duty to uphold fairness and ethical expectations. The Ten Commandments morality and ethics.
- 9:40 a.m. | Ancient Greece; Ancient Rome - Justice Noriega and Panel Discussion
- Ethics in Ancient Greece: Civil involvement, public virtue and ethical principles.
- Ethics in Ancient Rome: Civic duty, The Twelve Tables, and ethical principles.
- 10:20 a.m. | The Iroquois Confederacy - Judge Watson and Panel Discussion
- The Great Law of Peace - an ancient constitution that served a diverse population: six tribes and women.
- Equal access and the inclusive role of women in the Iroquois Confederacy: The Clan Mothers - chosen democratically.
- The role of Clan Mothers and the Counsel of Clans - The Council of Clans had to seek approval for the Clan Mothers.
- The role of the Clan Mothers in selecting the chiefs to serve on the Council of Clans.
- 10:50 a.m. | Break
- 11 a.m. | Celebrating the 250th Birthday of the Declaration of Independence – The Creation of the Declaration of Independence - Justice Albin and Panel Discussion
- The inspiration of the Preamble on Gettysburg and Seneca Falls
- Women’s rights and Abigail Adams
- 12 p.m. | Creation of the U.S. Constitution - Justice Albin and Panel Discussion
- Similarities in the Great Law of Peace - themes of separation of powers, checks and balances, and freedom.
- 12:35 p.m. | Adjourn
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