Although he is long gone, Jeffrey Epstein’s conduct has gripped the nation for many months. What about a law school course focusing on the legal issues surrounding his criminal activities?
There certainly are enough legal issues to cover in a course. Epstein’s accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted on federal sex trafficking charges and is currently in prison. A few weeks ago, she pleaded the Fifth Amendment and refused to testify before Congress. Former President Bill and Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before Congress on their relationship with Epstein. Maxwell and the Clintons’ knowledge of Epstein and his activities alone raise many legal issues. Among many others:
- The law surrounding sexual abusers and human trafficking.
- The professional responsibility of prosecutors to protect the public and abuse survivors.
- The moral failure of many people and the system to call attention to the ongoing victimization of minors.
- The influence of money, power, and influence on the criminal justice system.
- The pardon power of the President. Ghislaine Maxwell seems angling for a pardon for her testimony and President Trump has not ruled one out. Do the references to Trump in the Epstein files make a difference to the pardon potentials?
- The lawfulness of the redactions of the documents produced to Congress and related issues of the privacy of the survivors.
- The bi-partisan legislation resulting in the mass production of the Epstein files by the U.S. Department of Justice.
- The possible discipline of university professors for contacts with Epstein. See, e.g., here; here.
- Congressional oversight of the Department of Justice.
- The failure of government officials to act for years despite the many red flags surrounding Epstein and his activities.
There no doubt are a ton more issues. And certainly enough for a robust law school course — and much discussion.




