38th Annual Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander Commemorative Conference

Hosted at University of Pennsylvania Law School on February 21, 2026 for a day filled with insightful discussions and networking opportunities.

This conference honors the legacy of Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander, a trailblazing figure in the field of law. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone interested in legal studies and social justice.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with Black practioners and scholars across the areas of the legal field closest to Dr. Alexander.

Info: This opening roundtable will start with a Welcome Note from Economist and expert of Dr. Alexander, professor Nina Banks of Bucknell Univeristy. Panelists will explore how her legacy shapes today’s urgent conversations on racial justice, economic equity, and community empowerment while considering what it means to prepare the next generation to carry her mission forward. This panel will concldue with an exclusive screening of a forthcoming documentary about the life and work of Dr. Alexander. Attendees will earn CLE credit for this panel.

Info: This panel spotlights the transformative legal, judicial and academic leadership of Black women carrying forward Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander’s trailblazing legacy. Moderated by Penn Law professor Dorothy Roberts. The panel discussion will delve into the pressing legal issues shaping today’s landscape while exploring the pathways, challenges, and visionary contributions of Black women in the profession. Rooted in Dr. Alexander’s commitment to justice and community empowerment, this session invites attendees to reflect on contemporary legal debates, celebrate collective progress, and imagine the radical futures her work continues to inspire. Attendees will earn CLE credit.

Info: Moderated by Stephanie Creary of the Wharton School, this panel will bring together leading scholars and practitioners in a discussion of explore how legal doctrine has structured economic opportunity in the United States. Panelists will also engage with contemporary challenges, including algorithmic discrimination, credit and debt regulation, and the role of law in advancing community wealth-building and collective economic empowerment. Attendees will earn CLE credit.

Info: Moderated by Penn Law Professor and leader of ARC (Advocacy for Racial and Civil Justice Clinic) exploring how lawyers can partner with communities to advance grassroots advocacy, strengthen collective power, and confront entrenched inequities. Featuring leading voices in public defense, civil rights litigation, and movement lawyering, the discussion will examine the legal tools that shape community-based justice efforts, from associational rights and municipal accountability to class actions and §1983 litigation. Panelists will also consider contemporary challenges, including post-Shelby voting-rights strategies, police-accountability litigation, and the evolving role of lawyers in supporting collective action. Rooted in Dr. Sadie T.M. Alexander’s service-driven legacy, this session highlights the essential work of public defenders and imagines how community-centered lawyering can build durable grassroots power.

Info: Join us in celebration at the Notary Hotel to for a cocktail hour reception, followed by a seated dinner featuring a Key Note address from Deborah Archer, President of the American Civil Liberties Union.

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Host or Publisher UPenn BLSA