Law & Society Symposium

Welcome to the Law & Society Symposium!

Join us for an engaging and necessary conversation at the intersection of law, lived experience, and systemic equity. This 3-hour symposium brings together justice-impacted individuals, civil legal aid providers, public defenders, and attorneys to reflect on the realities and possibilities of a more just legal system.

Event Highlights:

• Lived Experience First: Justice-impacted individuals will share powerful stories of navigating systems of punishment, support, and reentry—and how law and policy shaped their journeys.
• Bridging Gaps in Access: Civil legal aid and public defense professionals will discuss the opportunities and limitations of their work, and explore how cross-sector collaboration can advance justice.
• BIPOC Attorney Roundtable: Attorneys of color will offer personal insights into their path to the profession, the structural barriers they faced, and the transformative role they play in building a more inclusive legal landscape.

Who Should Attend: Law students, aspiring public interest lawyers, social workers, educators, legal professionals, and community advocates interested in equity-centered legal practice.

Orange Bike Brewing Happy Hour Networking Event to follow, starting at 5 pm.

Info: Mr. Joseph Jackson, executive director of Maine Prisoners' Advocacy Coalition will curate a panel of justice-impacted individuals who will share powerful stories of navigating systems of punishment, support, and reentry—and how law and policy shaped their journeys.

Info: Learn about the work of local nonprofits and community legal organizations.

Info: Civil legal aid and public defense professionals will discuss the opportunities and limitations of their work, and explore how cross-sector collaboration can advance justice.

Info: Attorneys of color will offer personal insights into their path to the profession and the transformative role they play in building a more inclusive legal landscape.

Info: Continue the conversations and connections at Orange Bike Brewing where we will have light refreshments.

Host or Publisher The Alpha Institute