Conferences and Symposia
California Western regularly hosts conferences and symposia exploring emerging trends in the law and legal education. Below are examples of recent and upcoming events.
2023-2024 Events
Algorithmic Justice: The New Frontier
Please join the CWSL faculty and guest panelists for our Law, Justice, and Technology Initiative’s inaugural event. Following an afternoon screening of the documentary Coded Bias, available on Netflix, four distinguished panelists will provide insight about current
trends and problems at the law, justice, and technology intersection. Moderated by
intellectual property attorney, Maresa Talbert, ’17, the panelists include: Jessica Gross, ’17, Corporate Counsel for Privacy and Data at Sony Interactive Entertainment; Alexis Hancock, Director of Engineering at Electronic Frontier Foundation; Brenda Simon, ProFlowers Professor of Internet Studies at California Western School of Law; and
Corynne McSherry, Legal Director at Electronic Frontier Foundation. A reception follows the panel
discussion and Q&A session.
If you would like to attend both events, please select both tickets. Both events will
be held in LH1 with the reception held in the second floor lobby.
*This event is CLE eligible.
Unlocking the Golden Gate: Policy Solutions to California’s Housing Crisis
The Law Review Symposium: Unlocking the Golden Gate: Policy Solutions to California’s Housing Shortage will be held on Thursday, March 23rd from 12:30-5:30pm in the Auditorium at California Western School of Law, 350 Cedar Street, San Diego, CA 92101. Reception to follow.
Cruel and Modern Punishment: The Death Penalty under International Law
Learn about current issues regarding capital punishment practices in the U.S. and effects on international relations. MCLE credits available.
Friday, February 24, 2023, 12:00pm-4:30pm PST via zoom
2021-2022 Events
California Western School of Law welcomes Professor Aya Gruber and Professor India Thusi to campus this fall. These esteemed authors and professors will hold a conversation about the feminist war on crime, neofeminism and the carceral state. Cal Western's Professor Hannah Brenner Johnson will be moderating this event.
May 6, 2022
The 6th Annual Legal Ethics Conference at California Western School of Law focuses on the relationship between legal ethics and the public interest by examining the role of lawyers representing the government and government officials.
National Interdisciplinary Cannabis Symposium
May 20 - 22, 2022
Navigating the complex landscape of state and federal law relating to marijuana can be a challenge. Judges and leading industry organizations came together to look at the impact of marijuana legalization on courts and society.
State Violence and Womxn: Defining the Reaches of Modern Policing California Western School of Law, Law Review.
February 11, 2022
The California Western Law Review hosted a discussion about modern policing and its impact on women of color and trans women. Panelist and attendees engaged in conversations about how to identify, bring awareness and generate solutions to critical legal issues regarding this topic.
February 11, 2022
Industry leaders from organizations like the San Jose Sharks and San Diego Padres, discussed business law, labor law, intellectual property law, immigration law and human rights issues as it relates to sports law.
2020-2021 Events
Legal Ethics in Artificial Intelligence
May 14, 2021
The 5th Annual Legal Ethics Conference at California Western focused on the ethical dilemmas within artificial intelligence (AI) and its many applications. The conference included panels featuring thought leaders, scholars, and professionals working in legal ethics, AI, and technology. Our speakers discussed the ethical issues that arise from rapidly advancing.
Racial Justice: Looking Back, Moving Forward
February 11, 2021
In recent years, protests throughout the country have denounced racial inequality and demanded justice for the murders of Black men and women. While the focus of these protests was on criminal justice reform, they reflect the broader movement to confront structural racism. The disparate impact of the global pandemic on communities of color further highlights the existence of profound inequality. This panel addressed how the legal profession is fighting to support racial equality and promote human dignity.
Where Business Law & Tech Intersect
February 12, 2021
The Central San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce hosted a special panel, moderated by California Western President and Dean Sean Scott, designed to share new innovation, standards, policies, and forecasts with legal insight. Panelists included boutique law experts specializing in intellectual property, labor and employment, and technology as well as venture capital and general counsel directing some of San Diego's Fortune 500 companies.
Revenge of the State: Blockchain and the Future of Law, Governance, and Monetary Policy Revenge of the State: Blockchain and the Future of Law, Governance, and Monetary Policy
February 15, 2021
The California Western School of Law International Law Journal presents a robust discussion on radical democracies, central banks, digital currencies, and the legal implications of emerging technologies.
Skimmed: Breastfeeding, Race, and Injustice
March 12, 2021
The California Western Law Review presented a discussion based on Andrea Freeman’s book Skimmed: Breastfeeding, Race and Injustice. The symposium raised important questions and focused on the intersection of food law and policy, Critical Race Theory, health and reproductive rights, and feminist theory.