18
May 2010
Past Event
Dawn of the Dead? A Discussion of "Immortality and the Law: The Rising Power of the American Dead"

Dawn of the Dead? A Discussion of "Immortality and the Law: The Rising Power of the American Dead"

Past Event
Hudson Institute, Washington, D.C. Headquarters
May 18, 2010
Share:
Default Event Image
18
May 2010
Past Event

1015 15th Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20005

Read Transcript Read Transcript Read Transcript
Speakers:
William Schambra,

Hudson Senior Fellow and Director, Bradley Center for Philanthropy & Civic Renewal

Ray Madoff,

Law Professor, Boston College and author

Jeffrey Cooper,

Quinnipiac University School of Law

Arthur "Buzz" Schmidt,

GuideStar International

Suzanne Garment,

Center on Philanthropy, Indiana University

A donor may set up a charitable foundation in perpetuity, and the foundation’s trustees are obligated to carry out the donor’s intent. These two defining features of the American legal system afford donors a form of immortality, writes Ray Madoff in her new book, Immortality and the Law: The Rising Power of the American Dead (Yale University Press). But when current needs are effectively surrendered to the “dead hand” of the past, and when that trend is driven not by the wishes of the dead so much as by the living who stand to benefit the most – trustees, bankers, and financial services companies, society and the donor himself or herself ultimately lose, Madoff argues.

On May 18, Hudson Institute’s Bradley Center gathered a panel of experts to discuss the issues raised in Madoff’s book: Is it impossible to prevent donor intent from being corrupted? To what extent should it be honored after a donor’s death? Who should decide?

Related Events
See More
01
December 2025
Virtual Event | Online Only
Ambassador Youssef Amrani on the US-Morocco Relationship
Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Youssef Amrani
Michael Doran
Getty Images
01
December 2025
Virtual Event | Online Only
Ambassador Youssef Amrani on the US-Morocco Relationship

Hudson’s Michael Doran will host Youssef Amrani, Morocco’s ambassador to the United States, to discuss Morocco’s emerging Atlantic strategy, its role as a stabilizing force in Africa, and the geopolitical opportunities reshaping the US-Morocco partnership. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Ambassador Youssef Amrani
Michael Doran
Learn More
04
December 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Next Chokepoint: China’s Leverage Over US Pharmaceutical Inputs
Featured Speakers:
Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
Ted Yoho
Moderator:
Michael Sobolik
Getty Images
04
December 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
The Next Chokepoint: China’s Leverage Over US Pharmaceutical Inputs

To discuss how America can restore its sovereignty in pharmaceuticals, Michael Sobolik will host Former US Representative Ted Yoho and an expert panel.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
Ted Yoho
Moderator:
Michael Sobolik
Learn More
05
December 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Moldova’s Euro-Atlantic Path: Regional Security, Energy Opportunity, and Democratic Resilience
Featured Speakers:
Mihai Popșoi
Igor Grosu
Leah Kieff
Moderator:
Luke Coffey
Getty Images
05
December 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
Moldova’s Euro-Atlantic Path: Regional Security, Energy Opportunity, and Democratic Resilience

Hudson’s Luke Coffey will host Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihai Popșoi, Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament Igor Grosu, and Center for Strategic and International Studies Senior Associate Leah Kieff to examine the current political, security, and geopolitical situation in Moldova and the region going forward.

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Mihai Popșoi
Igor Grosu
Leah Kieff
Moderator:
Luke Coffey
Learn More
09
December 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
America’s Competitive Edge: Antitrust, Standards, and Intellectual Property for US Tech Leadership
Featured Speakers:
Dina Kallay
Urška Petrovčič
Getty Images
09
December 2025
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
America’s Competitive Edge: Antitrust, Standards, and Intellectual Property for US Tech Leadership

Hudson will host an exclusive luncheon conversation with Dina Kallay, deputy assistant attorney general for international, policy and appellate at the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice. 

Getty Images
Featured Speakers:
Dina Kallay
Urška Petrovčič
Learn More
See More
Related Research
See More
See More