2026 Law School Conference: Lawyering in Complex Times
The 2026 Law School Conference: Lawyering in Complex Times is a virtual event organized by the New York State Permanent Commission on Access to Justice in collaboration with Albany Law School. Scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 4:15 pm, the conference aims to explore leadership, access to justice, and the rule of law through the lens of professional identity formation. It will convene thought leaders, law school representatives, students, civil legal services organizations, court officials, and community partners to discuss how legal education and its stakeholders can foster lawyers' commitments to ethical practice, public service, independence, and the responsibility to uphold the law.
Key topics include enhancing access to justice through leadership, defining the rule of law and its connection to access to justice, and assessing the role of access to justice in professional identity formation. Sessions will feature discussions on ethical decision-making, coalition-building, pro bono initiatives, systemic reform, and the influence of access to justice on values, career paths, and decision-making in legal practice.
The conference will feature notable speakers such as Hon. Rowan D. Wilson, Chief Judge of New York State; Hon. Shira A. Scheindlin (ret.), former United States District Judge; and Professor Janet Sabel, Co-Chair of the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice. A post-conference networking opportunity with panelists is also planned to discuss sustainability practices and the implementation of ideas presented during the event.
This conference is ideal for law students, legal educators, practicing attorneys, and professionals involved in civil legal services and the judiciary. Attendees will gain valuable insights into integrating access to justice and the rule of law into their professional identities, enhancing their commitment to ethical practice and public service.
Speakers(18)
Adriene Holder
Chief Attorney of the Civil Practice at The Legal Aid Society
Adriene Holder serves as the Chief Attorney of the Civil Practice at The Legal Aid Society, overseeing legal services provided to low-income individuals.
Carolyn E. Coffey
Director of Litigation for Economic Justice at Mobilization For Justice
Carolyn E. Coffey is the Director of Litigation for Economic Justice at Mobilization For Justice, advocating for economic rights and justice.
Cinnamon P. Carlarne
President and Dean at Albany Law School
Cinnamon P. Carlarne is the President and Dean of Albany Law School, leading the institution in its mission to provide quality legal education.
David Udell
Executive Director at National Center for Access to Justice
David Udell serves as the Executive Director of the National Center for Access to Justice, focusing on improving access to justice for all individuals.
Gabriel Girault
President of the Black Law Students Association & Student Trustee at Albany Law School
Gabriel Girault is the President of the Black Law Students Association and serves as a Student Trustee at Albany Law School.
Hon. Edwina G. Richardson
Deputy Chief Administrative Judge at Office for Justice Initiatives, NYS Unified Court System
Hon. Edwina G. Richardson serves as the Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives in the New York State Unified Court System.
Hon. Liberty Aldrich (Ret.)
Executive Director at The Children’s Law Center
Hon. Liberty Aldrich is the Executive Director of The Children’s Law Center and a retired judge, focusing on legal advocacy for children.
Hon. Rowan D. Wilson
Chief Judge at New York State
Hon. Rowan D. Wilson serves as the Chief Judge of New York State, overseeing the state's judiciary and ensuring the fair administration of justice.
Hon. Seth M. Marnin
Co-Chair at Permanent Commission on Access to Justice; Court of Claims Judge
Hon. Seth M. Marnin is the Co-Chair of the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice and serves as a Judge on the New York State Court of Claims.
Hon. Shira A. Scheindlin (ret.)
Of Counsel at Boies, Schiller, Flexner
Hon. Shira A. Scheindlin is a retired United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York and currently serves as Of Counsel at Boies, Schiller, Flexner.
Janet Sabel
Director at Center on Civil Justice at NYU School of Law
Janet Sabel is the Director of the Center on Civil Justice at NYU School of Law and Co-Chair of the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice.
Jermaine Cruz
Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Enrollment Management at Albany Law School
Jermaine Cruz serves as the Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Enrollment Management at Albany Law School, focusing on diversity and student enrollment strategies.
Kellye Testy
CEO & Executive Director at Association of American Law Schools
Kellye Testy is the CEO and Executive Director of the Association of American Law Schools, leading the organization in its mission to improve legal education.
Kim Diana Connolly
Professor; Vice Dean for Innovation, Interdisciplinarity and Community Impact at University at Buffalo School of Law
Kim Diana Connolly is a Professor and Vice Dean for Innovation, Interdisciplinarity, and Community Impact at the University at Buffalo School of Law.
Matthew Diller
Dean Emeritus, Professor of Law and Co-Senior Counsel at John D. Feerick Center for Social Justice at Fordham University School of Law
Matthew Diller is the Dean Emeritus, Professor of Law, and Co-Senior Counsel at the John D. Feerick Center for Social Justice at Fordham University School of Law.
Paul A. Gowder
Frederick P. Vose Professor of Law at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law
Paul A. Gowder is the Frederick P. Vose Professor of Law at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, specializing in constitutional law and legal theory.
Renee Knake Jefferson
Professor of Law and the Joanne and Larry Doherty Chair in Legal Ethics, Assistant Dean Outcomes, Assessments, and Strategies at University of Houston Law Center
Renee Knake Jefferson is a Professor of Law, holds the Joanne and Larry Doherty Chair in Legal Ethics, and serves as Assistant Dean for Outcomes, Assessments, and Strategies at the University of Houston Law Center.
Rosemary Queenan
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor of Law, Co-Director, Human Resources Leadership Program at Albany Law School
Rosemary Queenan is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Professor of Law, and Co-Director of the Human Resources Leadership Program at Albany Law School.
Event Details
- Date
- April 22, 2026
- Location
- Virtual
- Pricing
- Free
- Audience
- Law students, legal educators, practicing attorneys, civil legal services professionals, judiciary members
- CLE Credits
- CLE credit will be provided