LOS ANGELES, CA – Southwestern Law School will host a series of symposia in January and February that explore evolving legal challenges in LGBTQIA+ rights, legal education, and the regulation of speech in a globalized world. Scholars and practitioners will examine how recent court rulings, policy changes, and international legal frameworks are shaping these issues. 

Shifts in LGBTQIA+ Rights and Legal Protections

 With ongoing legal and policy shifts affecting LGBTQIA+ rights, the Southwestern Law Review presented Legal Perspectives on LGBTQIA+ Rights on January 31, 2025. The panel analyzed recent court decisions, legislative actions, and the broader legal and policy implications affecting LGBTQIA+ communities. The discussion addressed transgender protections, anti-discrimination laws, and ongoing advocacy efforts. Speakers included Luke Boso, Co-Associate Dean of Research and Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School; Amanda Goad, Adjunct Associate Professor at Southwestern and Director of the LGBTQ, Gender & Reproductive Justice Project at the ACLU of Southern California; and Sheldon Lyke, Associate Professor of Law at Loyola University Chicago School of Law. 

Honoring Professor Catherine Carpenter and Examining Legal Education’s Future 

On February 7, 2025, the Southwestern Law Review will honor Professor Catherine Carpenter for her contributions to criminal law and legal education. The event will feature a keynote address by Kellye Y. Testy, Executive Director and CEO of the Association of American Law Schools, along with a panel discussion on how legal scholarship informs curriculum design and policy. Panelists will include Kim Pearson, Professor of Law at Gonzaga University School of Law; Ann Tweedy, Professor of Law at the University of South Dakota School of Law; and Stacey Sobel, Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Development at Western State College of Law. For more information, visit swlaw.edu/LawReview2025.

Navigating Speech Regulation in a Globalized World 

The expansion of digital platforms has raised new legal questions about the balance between national sovereignty and global speech governance. On February 15, 2025, the Journal of International Law and the Journal of International Media & Entertainment Law will present Speech, Globalism, & Sovereignty, a discussion on the legal frameworks shaping online speech regulation. Panelists will explore issues such as the extraterritorial reach of national laws, challenges in content moderation, and the growing influence of multinational corporations in digital governance. Speakers include Dr. András Koltay, Reader in Human Rights Law at Manchester Metropolitan University; Julia Hörnle, Professor of Internet Law at Queen Mary University of London; and Russell L. Weaver, Professor of Law at the University of Louisville. 

These discussions offer legal professionals, scholars, and students the opportunity to engage with critical legal issues shaping contemporary policy and practice. For more information or to register, visit swlaw.edu/SGS25.