Three fired U.S. attorneys to speak at Seattle U. today

The controversy over the firing of eight U.S. attorneys by the Justice Department will take center stage at Seattle University's School of Law today when three of the fired prosecutors participate in a public-policy forum on the dismissals.

David Iglesias, the former U.S. attorney for New Mexico; Paul Charlton, the former U.S. attorney for Arizona; and John McKay, the former U.S. attorney for Western Washington who is now on the faculty at Seattle University, will be the day's featured speakers.

The session, "U.S. Attorneys: Roles and Responsibilities," is part of a series of continuing legal-education seminars hosted by the school, according to Katherine Hedland-Hansen, a Seattle U. spokeswoman.

The session is open to the public, but tickets for anyone not affiliated with the school cost $110. The fee for attorneys seeking continuing-education credits is $125.

Seattle University alumni can attend for $95. Faculty, staff and students can get in free but must register in advance.

Space was still available Tuesday afternoon, but Hansen said seats were going fast. She encouraged potential participants to sign up online through the law school's Web site, www.law.seattleu.edu.

Professor Christian Halliburton of Seattle University will kick things off with a discussion of the constitutional and legal framework that governs how U.S. attorneys are selected and what they do.

Professor James Eisenstein of Pennsylvania State University will examine the historical relationship between U.S. attorneys and the executive branch.

The highlight of the afternoon will be "The 2007 Experience: Myths and Realities," a panel discussion featuring Iglesias, Charlton and McKay and moderated by Professor Laurie Levenson of Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.

The program begins at 1 p.m. in the Pigott Auditorium on campus.

David Bowermaster: 206-464-2724 or dbowermaster@seattletimes.com