2026 Constitutional Law Symposium (Drake Constitutional Law Center)

The annual Constitutional Law Symposium invites scholars, judges, and lawyers from across the country to discuss a timely constitutional issue. The proceedings are published in the Drake Law Review.

"The Roberts Court, Executive Power, and the American Experiment in Self-Government"
Saturday, April 11, 2026
8:30 AM - 1 PM James Albert Classroom, Cartwright Hall

• 8:30 am - Check-in and continental breakfast
• 9:00 am - Opening remarks

Precis: Presidents of both parties have pushed the boundaries of executive power. Absent war or economic calamity, however, no president has exercised executive power as vigorously as has President Trump particularly during his second administration. An aggressive reading of what is known as the unitary executive theory underpins many of President Trump’s actions. The Roberts Court consequently has grappled with momentous issues of separation of powers. The panelists to the 2026 Drake Constitutional Law Symposium were asked to discuss the unitary executive theory, separation of powers, and what developments in executive power might portend for the American experiment in self-government.

Speakers:

, Associate Professor of Law at Washington University School of Law

, Charles I. Francis Professorship in Law,
Professor at University of Texas at Austin School of Law and former Texas Attorney General

, Ralph V. Whitworth Professor in Law, Georgetown Law School, Executive Director of its Center on Congressional Studies and Vice Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

, Professor Emeritus of The Ohio State Moritz College of Law, Distinguished Scholar in Residence, New York University School of Law

Con Law Symposium is PENDING 3 hours of Iowa CLE credit.

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Host or Publisher Drake University - Law School