Matheson honored for scholarly book

University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law professor and former Utah Attorney General Scott M. Matheson Jr. recently received a prestigious award for a recent book on the tension between civil liberties and national security in contemporary American society.

The book, "Presidential Constitutionalism in Perilous Times," which explores the use of presidential power in times of crisis, has won the 2009 Chicago-Kent College of Law/Roy C. Palmer Civil Liberties Prize. It analyzes executive decisions made by former American presidents and wartime leaders and offers guidance for presidents to balance security and liberty within the U.S. constitutional framework, with emphasis on the working relationships among the branches of government.

"This is wonderfully well-deserved recognition for an elegant work, one that fortifies the constitutional foundations for regulating executive power in terrifying times," said U. law school Dean Hiram E. Chodosh.

Matheson will present his work, which was published by Harvard University Press in February, at Chicago-Kent on Nov. 20.

The $10,000 prize is designed to encourage and reward public debate among scholars on current issues affecting the rights of individuals and the responsibilities of governments throughout the world. Previous winners include David D. Cole and Jules L. Lobel as well as Harold H. Bruff for their scholarly publications.

— Wendy Leonard