03.03.-23.06.2026: Exter­nal Spea­ker Series

03/03/2026

The Role of Law Firms in Investor-State Dispute Settlement

Clint Peinhardt

Professor of Political Science, Public Policy, and Political Economy, University of Texas at Dallas

Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) is under fire — partly because arbitrators in these cases operate with wide discretion. While much scholarship has focused on arbitrators’ personal characteristics, less attention has been paid to the role of law firms. In this talk, Clint introduces a new database covering both arbitrators and the law firms they represent, as well as legal representation for both sides in ISDS cases. Initial findings suggest that law firms matter significantly: they can enhance outcomes for their clients, particularly when investors face state bureaucrats, and claimant firms appear to have strong influence on panel rulings.

21/04/2026

Political Mitochondria: Local Party Organizations in the United States

Douglas D. Roscoe

Professor of Political Science, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Because of the nature of federalism in the US, and also due to its large size, local party organizations at the county, town, and district level have been central to electoral politics throughout American history. Changes in the mid-20th Century toward a more candidate-centered, mass-media politics altered the role of these local party committees. Starting in the 1980s, scholars began to investigate these changes and what they mean for campaigns and elections. Professor Doug Roscoe has been central to this research enterprise for thirty years, and in this lecture he will discuss some of the key findings from this scholarship. What are these organizations like, and what kind of electoral activity do they undertake? Does that activity affect elections? Who are the people involved in local parties, what motivates them, and do they become candidates themselves?