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Mark Joseph Stern      

Senior Writer and Supreme Court Correspondent at Slate Magazine

Mark Joseph Stern is a senior writer covering courts and the law for Slate and a regular MSNBC contributor. Based in Washington, D.C., he has covered the U.S. Supreme Court, federal appellate and district courts, and state and local courts since 2013.

A native of Tallahassee, Florida, Stern holds a a BA from Georgetown University and a JD from Georgetown's Law Center. He is a member of the Maryland Bar. His areas of expertise include LGBTQ+ equality, reproductive rights, criminal justice, and Supreme Court jurisprudence.

Stern is the author of "American Justice 2019: The Roberts Court Arrives," published by the University of Pennsylvania Press. He has co-authored several law review articles about free speech, gay rights, and transgender equality.

Speech Topics

The Supreme Court Today: Power, Polarization, and the Future of Democracy

This dynamic, witty, and engaging presentation examines the Supreme Court's evolving dynamics under its current conservative supermajority, exploring how its decisions are increasingly influenced by ideological leanings and their profound implications for key societal issues, including voting rights, reproductive freedom, climate policy, and criminal justice.

Themes addressed include the growing disconnect between the Court's rulings and public opinion, the impact of judicial overreach on the separation of powers, and the erosion of institutional trust in the judiciary. The speech also provides compelling historical context for the Court's transformation, offering a nuanced perspective on how past and present rulings converge to shape the nation's trajectory.

This presentation does not just diagnose problems, but also emphasizes solutions, advocating for reforms to restore balance and accountability to the judiciary. It delivers an urgent, articulate, and forward-thinking critique tailored for audiences eager to understand the judiciary's pivotal role in shaping the future of democracy.

Courts, Choice, and Control: The New Legal Landscape of Reproductive Rights

This compelling presentation examines the judiciary’s profound impact on reproductive rights, with a focus on the shifting legal landscape shaped by a conservative-dominated court system. It explores how recent rulings—particularly the overturning of Roe v. Wade—have fundamentally altered the rights of individuals to make decisions about their bodies, health, and futures.

Themes include the devastating long-term consequences of the Dobbs decision, state-level legal battles over abortion access, and the Trump administration's coming federal assault on reproductive health care. The speech places these issues within a broader historical narrative, highlighting the federal judiciary's sharp break with precedent to sanction more invasive government restrictions on private health decisions.

This presentation proposes innovative judicial reforms and legislative safeguards to protect reproductive freedom in the face of judicial retrenchment. It offers an urgent, thought-provoking critique aimed at audiences invested in understanding the courts' pivotal role in the fight for reproductive justice and autonomy.

From Triumph to Turmoil: LGBTQ Rights at the Supreme Court

This speech offers a compelling exploration of the Supreme Court’s role in shaping the trajectory of LGBTQ rights in America. It begins by detailing the justices' early failures to recognize gay Americans as equal citizens, then charts the breakthrough decisions that culminated in the historic legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015. Following that landmark victory, the speech examines how an increasingly conservative Court turned away from LGBTQ equality, instead wielding the First Amendment to diminish the rights of gay and transgender individuals.

The address highlights cases that have emboldened state-level legislation targeting LGBTQ people, including laws restricting transgender healthcare and freedom of expression. It further reveals how these rulings set dangerous precedents for other marginalized communities and undermine the constitutional basis for gender equality.

While the address critiques the judiciary’s retreat from equality, it also outlines actionable steps for advocates, lawmakers, and citizens to protect LGBTQ rights. This is a vital call to action for anyone invested in justice, dignity, and the future of equality under the law.

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