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2026 University of the Pacific Law Review Symposium

Friday, March 27, 2026
08:45 a.m. - 05:30 p.m.

Add to Calendar 2026-03-27 08:45:00 2026-03-27 17:30:00 2026 University of the Pacific Law Review Symposium The Rule of Law Under Pressure: Executive Power, the Role of the Judiciary, and Democracy’s FutureSymposium DetailsDate: Friday, March 27, 2026Time: 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PTLocation: Hybrid, In-Person and via Zoom; Classrooms G and HRSVP for the symposium.SummaryThe rule of law is facing unprecedented stress in the U.S., with persistent attempts to politicize the judiciary, executive overreach, and erosion of institutional norms. This symposium examines how judicial independence, other legal institutions, and public trust can withstand these pressures, featuring debates on current and former administration policies, democratic backsliding, and reforms needed to safeguard the legal system. Discussions of the symposium will include Judicial Independence vs. Political Interfer, Democracy and the Courts, Enforcement and Accountability, and Public Trust and Legal Education.Preliminary Agenda8:00–8:55 AM — Check-in & Opening RemarksKeynote Panel I — Courts, Democracy, and the Public SphereKeynote Panel II — Executive Power, Lawyers, and Rule-of-Law BreakdownSingle-Speaker — Punishment, Constitutional Meaning, and Moral LimitsKeynote Panel III — Access, Enforcement, and Institutional ReformSingle-Speaker — Technology, Humanity, and the Future of the Rule of LawKeynote Panel IV — Constitutional Meaning and Systemic Design5:15–7:30 PM — Closing Remarks & Networking Reception Please note that the panel order may shift before the final schedule is posted. CLEThis program has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 7 hours of which 1.5 hours will apply to Legal Ethics, 1 hour will apply to Civility in the Legal Profession, 0.75 hours will apply to Technology in the Practice of Law, and 3.75 hours will apply general CLE. McGeorge School of Law certifies that this activity conforms to the standards for approved educational activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing Minimum Continuing Legal Education. Register for CLE credit: https://commerce.cashnet.com/03PMSL?itemcode=03PMSL-00118. 3200 5th Ave, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA McGeorge School of Law McGeorge School of Law America/Los_Angeles public

The Rule of Law Under Pressure: Executive Power, the Role of the Judiciary, and Democracy’s Future

Symposium Details

Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
Time: 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid, In-Person and via Zoom; Classrooms G and H

RSVP for the symposium.

Summary

The rule of law is facing unprecedented stress in the U.S., with persistent attempts to politicize the judiciary, executive overreach, and erosion of institutional norms. This symposium examines how judicial independence, other legal institutions, and public trust can withstand these pressures, featuring debates on current and former administration policies, democratic backsliding, and reforms needed to safeguard the legal system. Discussions of the symposium will include Judicial Independence vs. Political Interfer, Democracy and the Courts, Enforcement and Accountability, and Public Trust and Legal Education.

Preliminary Agenda

8:00–8:55 AM — Check-in & Opening Remarks
Keynote Panel I — Courts, Democracy, and the Public Sphere
Keynote Panel II — Executive Power, Lawyers, and Rule-of-Law Breakdown
Single-Speaker — Punishment, Constitutional Meaning, and Moral Limits
Keynote Panel III — Access, Enforcement, and Institutional Reform
Single-Speaker — Technology, Humanity, and the Future of the Rule of Law
Keynote Panel IV — Constitutional Meaning and Systemic Design
5:15–7:30 PM — Closing Remarks & Networking Reception

Please note that the panel order may shift before the final schedule is posted.

CLE

This program has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of 7 hours of which 1.5 hours will apply to Legal Ethics, 1 hour will apply to Civility in the Legal Profession, 0.75 hours will apply to Technology in the Practice of Law, and 3.75 hours will apply general CLE. McGeorge School of Law certifies that this activity conforms to the standards for approved educational activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing Minimum Continuing Legal Education.