Section Report of the Sociology of Law Section

	The Sociology of Law section is a small but vibrant section of
the American Sociological Association.  It is noteworthy for the
commitment of its members to section business.  Over 34 attended
the Section business meeting this year.  As has been true throughout
its short life, section members enthusiastically volunteer for
committees that enhance and recognize the scholarly contributions of 
its members.  And, as has been the case each year, section members 
reach into their own pockets to build up the reserves of the section.  

	The Council and Section Business meetings were held on August 
20, 2001 during the annual American Sociological Association 
meetings in Anaheim.  [See attached agenda for the Council meeting 
that also served as an agenda for the business meeting.]  At the 
Council meeting, most members and committee chairs attended.  

	Section Chair Nancy Reichman unveiled the new Sociology of 
Law button as part of our membership campaign activities.  She 
encouraged members to wear the button proudly.  Several members 
noted that they are already drawing attention.  At the very least the 
buttons advertise that the section exists.  We also hope that non-
section conference participants will comment on the buttons offering 
us an opportunity to promote the section.   Reichman thanked Mia 
Cahill for her heroic efforts to get the buttons to us on time.

	Reichman thanked outgoing officers and members of the 
council and nnounced the results of the section elections:  Carol 
Heimer is the new Chair-elect.  New council members are Patricia 
Ewick, Valerie Jenness, and Matt Silberman.  John Hagan, Chair-elect, 
will be the section chair during 2001-2002.

	Reichman also announced that the Sociology of Law section day 
at next year's meeting is the last day of the meeting and will benefit 
from a new policy that offers an extra session to those sections that 
are scheduled for the last day of the meeting.  As chair-elect Carol 
Heimer chairs the program committee for next year.  Short discussion 
followed about continuing our efforts to co-sponsor sessions with our 
sections.  Plans to do so this year fell victim to the change to a four 
day meeting.

	John Hagan reported on the Program Committee activities for 
the past year.  In addition to outstanding roundtable presentations, 
we look forward to sessions on Law and Social Justice in Transition to 
Democracy, Law and Organizations:  Explaining Compliance and Non-
compliance, as well as our roundtables.

	Mark Cooney reported on the activities of the Nominations 
committee.  Reichman thanked all those who were willing to run for 
election and congratulated those who won.  She also thanked Mia 
Cahill who could not attend the meetings because of an injury.  

	Alfonso Morales, chair of the Article Prize Committee, reported 
on the activities of that committee.  The winner of this year prize 
was Mary Vogel for her article, "The Social Origins of Plea Bargaining: 
Conflict and the Law in the Process of State Formation, 1830-1860" 
(LSR V33, 1).  Ryken Grattet and Scott Phillips were recognized as 
honorable mentions for their paper "Judicial Rhetoric, Meaning-
Making, and the Institutionalization of Hate Crime Law" (LSR v34, 3).  
A copy of their report is attached.

	Jerry Van Hoy reported on the Student Paper Prize committee.  
This year, the prize went to Garry Gray for his paper, "A Socio-legal 
Ethnography of the Right to Refuse Dangerous Work."  As in years 
past, the committee encouraged members to publicize the award and 
promote submissions. 

	The Treasurers Report was presented and the Budget 
approved. These are attached.

	The Publications Committee report focused on the need to 
improve the quantity and quality of the newsletter.  Members were 
encouraged to submit articles of interest so that the newsletter had a 
substantive feel rather than repeated announcements that are 
already sent via email.  There was a general consensus for more 
articles that included a sociology of law "take" on current events (e.g. 
the presidential election and legal controversies that surrounded it 
and what we know about the "broken windows"  policy).  Other 
suggestions included articles on  changes in the field of the sociology 
and a "graduates in the news" column. 

	Several members suggested that the Publications consider 
whether they could or should establish relationships with other 
socio-legal publication outlets.  Would it be wise, for example, to see 
if we could establish a relationship with Law and Social Inquiry so 
that members in the Sociology of Law section could receive some 
discounts on a subscription to that journal or some other benefit.

	The business meeting turned to the issue of membership.  
Membership in the section has been flat, if not declining slightly.  
Members were encouraged to promote the section to their colleagues 
and graduate students.  A general discussion of ways to highlight the 
activities of the Section followed.  One suggestion was to link our 
program to the overall meeting theme, special sessions and the like.  

	We were encouraged to think of the tangible benefits of section 
membership.  One suggestion was to better link publications and 
membership, i.e., to encourage us to think about publications as a 
vehicle for outreach and a benefit to member.

	Council proposed that we introduce internet working groups 
formed around general themes and/or topics of interest in socio-legal 
studies, e.g. school violence, technology, etc.  These mini-networks 
within the larger socio-legal networks could become exciting venues 
for scholarly exchange and might bring new scholars into the 
Sociology of Law orbit.  Suggested "lawnets," as we called them, 
included law and violence, law and education, professions, law and 
organizations, and law and science.  Reichman offered to look at some 
of the technological parameters of such an effort.

	The mentoring program was discussed briefly.  There was 
consensus that it should be revitalized, as it can be an important 
source of professional development for both junior and senior 
scholars.  Mark Suchman volunteered to be the coordinator of the 
Mentor Program.

	Chair, John Hagan asked for additional volunteers to staff the 
standing committees.

The meeting adjourned with much excitement about the possibilities 
for the section in the next year.   Since we have such a strong 
contingent from Chicago, there was much enthusiasm about the 
possibility of having an off-site reception.  Several members 
supported the idea of having a speaker at the reception as well as 
just drinks and snacks.  General support for continuing to partner 
with Crime, Law, and Deviance.

Reichman wished new Chair, John Hagan, best of luck.



Respectfully Submitted
Nancy Reichman, 
2000-2001 Chair, Sociology of Law Section