Back to the Lab: The Promise of States in Checking Federal Power and Advancing Individual Rights
Friday, September 18, 2026 | 9:30 AM EDT - 4:30 PM EDT
Join us for a symposium that analyzes and evaluates the multifaceted tools and powers of state governments. The two main panels will explore two specific themes: (1) developing interpretive tools that are unique to state constitutions; and (2) states as ideal arenas for expanding individual rights. We will also hear from students about their recent work related to state autonomy and checking federal power. Speakers include legal scholars and practitioners who are leading the fight against federal overreach on behalf of states and their residents.
Co-sponsored by Rutgers University Law Review and Rutgers Law School Institute for Professional Education.
Breakfast, lunch, reception and light dinner included.
Download announcement for full agenda and CLE details.
Register here to attend for free without CLE credit: https://go.rutgers.edu/rulr-symposium-2026
Co-sponsored by Rutgers University Law Review and Rutgers Law School Institute for Professional Education.
Breakfast, lunch, reception and light dinner included.
Download announcement for full agenda and CLE details.
Register here to attend for free without CLE credit: https://go.rutgers.edu/rulr-symposium-2026
FACULTY:
PANEL 1: DEVELOPING INTERPRETATIVE TOOLS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO STATE CONSTITUTIONS
Professor Quinn Yeargain, 1855 Professor of the Law of Democracy and Associate Professor of Law, Michigan State University College of Law
Professor Constance Van Kley, Assistant Professor, University of Montana Blewett School of Law
Justice Brent Appel, Instructor of Law; Deputy Director of the Institute for Justice Reform & Innovation, Drake University Law School, Des Moine, Iowa
STUDENT PANEL
Elizabeth Roberts, Rutgers Law School
Meghna Govindu, Rutgers Law School
PANEL 3: STATES AS IDEAL ARENAS FOR EXPANDING INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
Professor Jared M. Trujillo, Associate Professor of Law, CUNY School of Law
Professor Michael Gregory, Clinical Professor of Law, Harvard Law School
Professor Michael A. Rebell, Professor Emeritus of Law and Educational Practice; Executive Director, Center for Educational Equity, Teachers College, Columbia University
Professor Paul Finkelman, past president, chancellor, and distinguished professor of history, Gratz College, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
Professor Quinn Yeargain, 1855 Professor of the Law of Democracy and Associate Professor of Law, Michigan State University College of Law
Professor Constance Van Kley, Assistant Professor, University of Montana Blewett School of Law
Justice Brent Appel, Instructor of Law; Deputy Director of the Institute for Justice Reform & Innovation, Drake University Law School, Des Moine, Iowa
STUDENT PANEL
Elizabeth Roberts, Rutgers Law School
Meghna Govindu, Rutgers Law School
PANEL 3: STATES AS IDEAL ARENAS FOR EXPANDING INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
Professor Jared M. Trujillo, Associate Professor of Law, CUNY School of Law
Professor Michael Gregory, Clinical Professor of Law, Harvard Law School
Professor Michael A. Rebell, Professor Emeritus of Law and Educational Practice; Executive Director, Center for Educational Equity, Teachers College, Columbia University
Professor Paul Finkelman, past president, chancellor, and distinguished professor of history, Gratz College, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
REGION:
New York City Metro Area
LOCATION:
Rutgers Law School
123 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
123 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102
CREDITS:
CLE: NJ: 5.0 | NY: 5.0 | PA: 4.0
SUBJECT AREAS:
Constitutional Law
State Constitutional Law
State Constitutional Law
COST:
$100.00
DETAILED INFORMATION:
