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Speaker: Jay Berman, former Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Birch Bayh
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Wynne Courtroom & Steve Tuchman and Reed Bobrick Atrium, Inlow Hall, 530 W. New York Street, Indianapolis, IN
Contact: Office of External Affairs: oea@iu.edu
Join us on Thursday, October 9, 2025 for this presentation from Senator Birch Bayh's former Chief of Staff, Jay Berman.
Lecture: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Reception: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
The 2025 Birch Bayh Lecture is hosted by the IU Robert H. McKinney School of Law where it was established in honor of the late U.S. Senator Birch Bayh. The lecture series focuses on issues of importance to Senator Bayh throughout his long and distinguished career in government. It is made possible through the generous contributions of Simon Property Group, where Senator Bayh served on the board for 17 years, and by friends of Birch Bayh.
The Honorable Birch Bayh
Birch Bayh was a member of the United States Senate, serving the state of Indiana for three terms from 1962 to 1980. He twice amended the U.S. Constitution—affecting the American presidency and enfranchising the youth vote—and wrote other historic legislation revolutionizing women’s rights and America’s world standing in life sciences and biotechnology.
As chairman of the Constitutional Subcommittee, Senator Bayh authored two amendments to the Constitution: the Twenty-fifth Amendment on Presidential and Vice Presidential disability and succession, and the Twenty-sixth Amendment that lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years of age. He also wrote two other closely-fought amendments to the Constitution: the Equal Rights Amendment (which was passed and sent to the states for ratification), and the Direct Popular Vote Amendment to abolish the Electoral College.
Senator Bayh authored Title IX to the Higher Education Act of 1972 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in our nation’s schools. Ensuring equal opportunities for students in all academic disciplines and on the athletic field, Title IX has been called the Magna Carta of women’s rights.
Senator Bayh was the architect and co-sponsor of the Bayh-Dole Act that enables American universities, small businesses, and non-profit organizations to retain intellectual property rights of inventions developed from federally-funded research. Senator Bayh’s reform of patent law has made the U.S. a global leader in the marketplace and American higher education the world’s leading incubator of scientific, medical, and technological innovation. The Economist called Bayh-Dole “possibly the most inspired piece of legislation to be enacted in America over the past half century.”
Senator Bayh’s political career began in 1954 with his election to the Indiana House of Representatives, where he served three terms and led sweeping reform of Indiana schools to bring about equality for rural and urban students alike. He earned a B.S. degree in Agriculture from Purdue University and a J.D. from the IU Maurer School of Law. He served in the United States Army with occupied forces in Germany.
After leaving public service, Senator Bayh practiced law; worked to protect Title IX, advocated for the direct election of the president through the National Popular Vote initiative, chaired the first-ever national hate crimes commission, and taught at Washington College’s C.V. Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience.
Speaker:
Jason Berman
Former Chief of Staff to Senator Birch Bayh
Jason Berman began his career in public service in 1965 as a Legislative Assistant to United States Senator Birch Bayh. He later served as Staff Director of the Senate Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments from 1966 to 1968. From 1969 to 1972, he held the position of Director of Legislative Affairs for Senator Bayh, and from 1973 to 1976, he served as the Senator’s Chief of Staff.
In 1977, Berman transitioned to the private sector as Senior Vice President for Public Affairs at Warner Communications, a role he held until 1986. He then became President and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), serving from 1987 to 1998. In 1999, President Bill Clinton appointed him Special Counsel for Trade. From 2000 to 2006, Berman served as Chairman and CEO of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).
His government service also included several presidential appointments. President Jimmy Carter named him Special Ambassador to St. Lucia. Under President Clinton, he was appointed to the U.S. Trade Advisory Committee for Trade with the Asia Pacific region and for Trade in Services. He was also selected as a member of the U.S. Delegation to the Geneva Trade Negotiations.
Jay Berman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baruch College, City College of New York in 1959. He went on to receive a Master of Arts from Northwestern University in 1961, where he was named a University Scholar in 1962. From 1961 to 1964, he pursued doctoral studies at the University of Pittsburgh, supported by a Teaching Fellowship. In 1965, he was awarded both a Research Scholarship from the University of Pittsburgh and a Harry S. Truman Library Fellowship.
Parking:
Visitor parking is available in fully automated parking garages a few blocks from Inlow Hall:
Gateway Garage @525 Blackford St
(Entrance is located at the corner of California & North Street).
Sports Complex Garage @875 W New York St
(Connected to the IU Natatorium. Enter Sports Garage Visitor Section).
Riverwalk Garage @245 University Blvd
(Garage entrance faces NIFS & is just south of the IU Natatorium).
Special Accommodations:
Individuals who need special assistance should call (317) 274-0846 no later than one week prior to the event. Special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs.
