2026 J. Reuben Clark Law Society Annual Conference

The 2026 J. Reuben Clark Law Society Annual Conference, themed "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness: Foundations of Freedom," was held on February 26–27, 2026, at the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. Organized by the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, the event coincided with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and attracted over 400 registrants, including more than 60 law students from across the United States and international locations such as Brazil, Europe, Mexico, and Tonga.

Conference sessions focused on a faith-based attorney's legal charge, civic duty, and moral responsibility to safeguard the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Keynote speakers included Melody Barnes, Executive Director of the Karsh Institute of Democracy, who discussed the constitutional architecture of the U.S. government, and Jeffrey Rosen, CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center, who emphasized the importance of personal self-governance and humility in sustaining good governments. Justice Clarence Thomas of the U.S. Supreme Court received the J. Clifford Wallace Award and engaged in a conversation about civility and respectful discourse with individuals of opposing views.

The conference featured the Rex E. Lee Lunch, where the D.C. Mid-Atlantic Chapter presented the Shawn Bentley Awards to law students Brandon Ascione from BYU Law and Joshua Bishop from Stanford Law. Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., former Solicitor General of the United States, received the Rex E. Lee Advocacy Award. An evening event at the National Cathedral included a devotional address by Elder Alexander Dushku, General Counsel and General Authority Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the posthumous presentation of the Thomas L. Kane Religious Freedom Award to David L. Bazelon, Morris Kanfer, and Stanley Rosensweig for their contributions to religious freedom.

Attendees had opportunities for networking, including an optional post-conference excursion—a moonlight tour of U.S. Capitol monuments—and a student networking event at the Barlow Center. The conference provided a platform for legal professionals and students to engage in discussions on preserving foundational freedoms and to build professional relationships within a faith-based legal community.