<img width="235" height="298" alt="2011Gedid Lecture235px" src="/site/files/oldnewsfiles/2011Gedid%20Lecture235px.jpg" class="FloatLeft">Widener Law is pleased to announce it will welcome one of the country’s leading experts on bias in law and science to its Harrisburg campus on Tuesday, April 5 for the fifth-annual <a href="/Academics/Faculty/ProfilesHbg/GedidJohnL.aspx">John L. Gedid</a> lecture.<br><br>Christopher Robertson, associate professor of law at the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law, will deliver remarks titled, “Fixing Bias: How to Use Law to Prevent Biased Decisions by Jurors, Judges, Physicians and Scientists.” The hour-long lecture will begin at 4:30 p.m. in room A180.<br><br>In addition to his current work involving bias, Robertson is also widely known for previous research on unpredictable medical events and their impact on home foreclosures and other consumer finances. His work has been discussed in the <span style="font-style: italic;">Wall Street Journal</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times</span>. President Obama cited his research in a State of the Union speech when he spoke about the medical causes of home foreclosures being a primary impetus for health care reform.<br><br>Robertson earned his law degree from Harvard Law School and a doctorate in philosophy at Washington University in St. Louis, where he also taught bioethics. He is currently leading a team of researchers on a major grant from the Safra Center at Harvard University, studying ways to ameliorate commercial biases in biomedical research. <br><br>Along with his teaching and research, Robertson maintains a legal practice focused on complex litigation, medical and scientific disputes, and insurance cases. He is co-counsel representing the New England Journal of Medicine as amicus in the U.S. Supreme Court on a case relating to the pharmaceutical industry.<br><br>Widener Law began the John L. Gedid lecture series in April 2007. The event honors Gedid, who has been a leading figure on the Harrisburg campus since it opened in 1989, and who serves as director of the campus’ signature <a href="/Academics/Institutes/LawandGovernmentInstitute.aspx">Law &amp; Government Institute</a>, which is dedicated to improving law that defines the structure and operation of government and the rights and duties of citizens dealing with government. He is a beloved professor, treasured mentor and active public servant. <br><br>“We are thrilled to have Professor Robertson as this year’s Gedid lecturer. His work on bias, the problems that arise from it, and solutions that can help people make better decisions, should lead to a thoughtful discussion with worthwhile lessons,” Law Dean <a href="/Academics/Faculty/ProfilesDe/AmmonsLinda.aspx">Linda L. Ammons</a> said. “The law school is pleased to share this program with the public and through it, call attention to the valuable work of our own Professor John Gedid as well as the Law &amp; Government Institute he directs.”<br><br>The lecture is free and open to all. One continuing legal education credit is available at no cost for Pennsylvania and Delaware attorneys who attend.<br><br>The event is presented by the Law School with sponsorship from Wolters Kluwer.<br><br>For more information, contact Sandra Graeff at 717.541.3965 or <a href="mailto:slgraeff@widener.edu">slgraeff@widener.edu</a>.