Drake Constitutional Law Symposium 2026

The Drake Constitutional Law Symposium is an annual event hosted by Drake University Law School in Des Moines, Iowa. This symposium brings together scholars, judges, and legal professionals to discuss pressing constitutional issues. The 2026 symposium, titled "The Roberts Court, Executive Power, and the American Experiment in Self-Government," is scheduled for April 11, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the James Albert Classroom at Cartwright Hall.

The symposium will feature discussions on the unitary executive theory, separation of powers, and recent developments in executive power under the Roberts Court. Notable speakers include Andrea Scoseria Katz, Associate Professor of Law at Washington University School of Law; Aaron L. Nielson, Charles I. Francis Professor of Law at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law and former Solicitor General of Texas; Victoria Nourse, Ralph V. Whitworth Professor of Law at Georgetown Law School and Vice Chair of the United States Commission on Civil Rights; and Peter M. Shane, Distinguished Scholar in Residence and Adjunct Professor at New York University School of Law.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with leading constitutional scholars and participate in discussions on the evolving landscape of executive power in the United States. The proceedings of the symposium will be published in the Drake Law Review, providing a valuable resource for those interested in constitutional law.

This event is ideal for legal professionals, scholars, and students interested in constitutional law and the dynamics of executive power. It offers a platform to gain insights from esteemed experts and engage in meaningful discussions on significant constitutional topics.