The 2023 Baylor Law Leadership Symposium, hosted in collaboration with the Association of American Law Schools Section on Leadership and the Baylor Law Review, was held on Thursday, September 28, 2023. Under the theme “Power of Speech: Creating Environments in Which Free Speech and Civil Discourse Thrive,” the virtual event brought together legal scholars, professionals, and experts to discuss the critical issues surrounding free speech, civil discourse, and their significance in today’s society. Over 200 registered to participate.
Professor Leah Teague, Director of the Baylor Law Leadership Development Program, organized the symposium to build upon related efforts within the legal profession through the American Association of Law Schools and the American Bar Association. She said, “We are thankful to colleagues from around the country who joined us for this important conversation about the crucial work that occurs in law schools to prepare law students better to be effective lawyers and leaders. Teaching law students to engage respectfully with, and value, different perspectives is an important aspect of their professional identity formation and character development.”
The symposium began with a warm welcome from Patricia Wilson, Interim Dean and William Boswell Chair of Law at Baylor Law, who set the tone for the day’s discussions. The event’s schedule was designed to provide deep insights and thoughtful perspectives on civil discourse in America and the legal profession and strategies to promote civility and professional communication.
Following introductions by Professor Teague, the symposium opened with a panel discussion on “The State of Civil Discourse in America and the Legal Profession.” Moderated by Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the UC Berkeley School of Law, the panel featured distinguished legal experts, including:
The lecture engaged an audience of more than 200 faculty, staff, students, and community members, reminding all of the enduring significance of civil discourse in our Constitutional republic in shaping our nation’s history and guiding our future.
- Deborah Enix-Ross, Immediate Past ABA President, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
- Mark Alexander, President of AALS, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law
- April Barton, Chair of AALS Leadership Section, Duquesne University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
- Sudha Setty, Dean of CUNY School of Law
This engaging conversation explored the significance of freedom of speech and techniques for encouraging law students and lawyers to exercise this right civilly and professionally.
Following the first panel, the symposium delved into “Creating a Culture of Civility.” This session, introduced by Lee Fisher, Dean and Joseph C. Hostetler-BakerHostetler Chair in Law at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, and moderated by Kellye Testy, President and CEO of the Law School Admissions Council, featured prominent legal educators and administrators:
- Timothy W. Floyd, Tommy Malone Distinguished Chair in Trial Advocacy and Director of Experiential Education, Mercer University School of Law
- Tania Luma, Assistant Dean, Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
- Louis D. Bilionis, Dean Emeritus and Droege Professor of Law, Cincinnati College of Law
- Leah Teague, Professor of Law and Director of the Leadership Development Program, Baylor Law School
This session explored concrete offerings, programs, and activities that support a culture of civility, including professional identity formation, diversity and belonging training, public relations, and crisis management plans, among others.
The 2023 Baylor Law Leadership Symposium was a dynamic platform for thought-provoking discussions and an opportunity for legal professionals and scholars to share insights on the vital role of free speech and civil discourse in our society. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of these critical issues and a renewed commitment to promoting respectful and productive conversations in the legal field and legal education.
In addition to the thought-provoking discussions and engaging sessions held during the 2023 Leadership Symposium, Baylor Law would like to acknowledge and express our appreciation to the dedicated members of the Symposium Planning Committee who worked tirelessly to make this event a success:
- April Barton, Duquesne Kline
- Lee Fisher, Cleveland State
- Joan MacLeod Heminway, Tennessee
- Susan Jones, George Washington
- Tania Luma, Loyola Chicago
- Stephen Rispoli, Mayer LLP
- Hillary Sale, Georgetown
- Leah Teague, Baylor Law
- Kellye Testy, LSAC
- Ellen Yaroshef, Hofstra