Introduction
This is a Call for Participation in the Symposium on Promoting the Rule of Law to be held during the in-person AALS Annual Meeting from January 6-9, 2026, in New Orleans.
The Symposium Program has two panels. One on Support for the Rule of Law through Teaching and one on Support for the Rule of Law through Scholarship and Service. We are looking for additional presenters for both panels who can share ideas and techniques for promoting the rule of law through teaching, scholarship and service.
Each panel will be followed by informal breakout sessions where panelists will have the opportunity to engage with members of the audience. We plan to make materials from the session available through publication and/or other means after the meeting.
Those interested in being considered as panelist should provide a short abstract (2 pages, double-spaced) describing their proposed contribution to the panel. Examples of work promoting the rule of law may be referenced in the abstract and, if not immediately available, a copy of the work may also be submitted.
The participants in this Symposium will be the individuals identified in the original proposal selected by the Program Committee, plus additional individuals selected from this “call for participation.”
Description
The rule of law in the United States is threatened as never before. Legal professionals can no longer take for granted that our country and culture is committed to preserving and promoting the rule of law. While it is easy (and increasingly common) to be concerned (or horrified) at developments undermining the rule of law, it is hard for legal academics to know what they can do about it. This program is designed to develop options and share ideas for promoting the rule of law.
This symposium will have two panels followed by informal breakout sessions for brainstorming and discussion. Panel 1 will address Support for the Rule of Law through Teaching. It will provide a definition, foundational principle and learning outcomes and rubric for teaching rule of law and provide examples of rule of law exercises to be incorporated into current law school courses.
Panel 2 will address Support for the Rule of Law through Scholarship and Service. It will provide resources and explore vehicles for promoting the rule of law through scholarship and service.
Call for Abstracts
The Annual Meeting Program Committee invites faculty and administrators who would like to join this Symposium to submit a two-page abstract that addresses by October 31, 2025. Current organizers and confirmed symposium participants include:
Organizers:
Jerome M. Organ, University of St. Thomas School of Law
Jeffrey Thomas, University of Missouri -Kansas City School of Law
Confirmed Panelists:
Kendall L. Kerew, Georgia State University College of Law
Karen Hall, University of South Carolina Rule of Law Collaborative
William C. Hubbard, University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law
Space in this Symposium is limited; the faculty organizers who proposed this symposium, will select the remaining participants from the abstracts submitted. At the AALS Annual Meeting in January, selected participants will make a 10-12 minute presentation during the Symposium. The remaining time will be devoted to questions, breakout groups, discussion, and breakout group reports.
Each submission for this Symposium should include:
- The title of the submitted presentation;
- The name, school and email of the applying participant;
- A two-page, double-spaced abstract that addresses how the participant is promoting or would promote the rule of law through teaching, scholarship and/or service;
- A copy of an example of materials used to promote the rule of law through teaching, scholarship and/or service (if those materials are not available through a citation or link in the abstract); and
- The curriculum vitae of the applying participant.
In reviewing the submitted abstracts, the Symposium organizer and selection committee will consider the following:
- The fit and overall quality of the abstract for the Symposium;
- The diversity that the applying participant may bring in terms of a variety of factors including viewpoint diversity, institutional affiliation, and status (tenure-track, non-tenure track, tenured); and if applicable.
- The applying participant’s willingness to make their materials available along with other Symposium materials.
Abstracts are due by October 31, 2025 and should be submitted using the online submission form: