Law Review Symposium to discuss State Constitutions in Times of Federal Uncertainty

LAWRENCE – State constitutions are a powerful source of individual rights and are becoming increasingly important in American jurisprudence.

On Oct. 17, the Kansas Law Review’s 2025 Symposium will bring together leading academics and practitioners to explore the role of state constitutional litigation in advancing civil rights and liberties.

State Constitutions in Times of Federal Uncertainty will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the University of Kansas School of Law in Green Hall. Check-in and breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Register and learn more about the symposium.

Speakers include:

• Alicia Bannon, director of the Judiciary Program, Brennan Center for Justice; editor-in-chief, State Court Report.
• Joshua Bendor, solicitor general of Arizona.
• Greer Donley, associate dean for research & faculty development, associate professor of law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
• Tabatha Abu El-Haj, professor of law, Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law.
• Marcus Gadson, associate professor of law, University of North Carolina School of Law.
• R. Stanton Jones, partner, Arnold & Porter.
• Quinton Lucas, mayor of Kansas City, Missouri.
• Steve McAllister, E.S. & Tom W. Hampton Distinguished Professor of Law, KU School of Law.
• Julie Murray, co-director of the State Supreme Court Initiative, American Civil Liberties Union.
• Ryan Park, former solicitor general of North Carolina.
• Adam Sopko, associate professor of law, University of Colorado Law School.
• Jeffrey S. Sutton, chief judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit; former solicitor general of Ohio.
• Constance Van Kley, assistant professor of law, University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law.
• Bob Williams, professor emeritus, Rutgers University.
• Quinn Yeargain, associate professor of law, Michigan State University College of Law.

“The Kansas Law Review is thrilled to bring a distinguished group of scholars, practitioners and public servants together to discuss state constitutional litigation, which has become an important tool for advancing civil rights and expanding individual liberties,” said Michael Moore, symposium editor and third-year law student.

This symposium will explore voting rights and electoral democracy; equality and privacy in state constitutions; and state court procedure, municipal governments and trans-substantive issues in state constitutional litigation. The symposium will also feature a keynote plenary session of current and former state solicitors general who will discuss their roles in state constitutional litigation.

Scholarship associated with the symposium will be published in a spring 2026 edition of the Kansas Law Review. For more information, contact Michael Moore, symposium editor, at michaelmoore@ku.edu.