The Soifer lecture series, sponsored by Refounding America at law schools around the country, is designed to elevate ideas, invite public scrutiny, and inspire participation.

The inaugural Soifer Lecture was delivered at the University of Hawai‘i Law School on March 7, 2025, by Ellen P. Goodman, Distinguished Professor of Law at Rutgers Law School.

Professor Goodman explored the timely and thought-provoking question: “Should we Americans still revere the law, and if so, how can that reverence be made justifiable and effective?” Drawing inspiration from Abraham Lincoln’s Lyceum Address, her discussion examined the role of law in contemporary society, emphasizing human agency and power in the face of tech-fueled subordination.