From a recent email message:
Call for Papers: “The Rule of Law”
The University of St. Thomas School of Law Journal of Law and Public Policy invites paper proposals for its Fall 2025 Symposium on “The Rule of Law” to be held on November 21, 2025, via a hybrid model over Zoom and at the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This interdisciplinary event aims to bring together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to explore and analyze the Rule of Law.
The Rule of Law is the belief that there exists a neutral ground, autonomous from politics, where it remains possible to judge cases fairly and impartially between parties. This belief has been criticized from many directions in recent years. Some have asked, is the law truly neutral? Or does it always and necessarily harbor and protect certain political stances while ruling others out of bounds?
Others question whether justice is truly fair and impartial where wide disparities of resources exist between litigants. And still others question the practice known as “Lawfare,” understood as the aggressive use of the legal process to defeat one’s political or business opponents.
And what of the international order? Not long ago, it was genuinely believed that all states, large as well as small, were genuinely committed to an international order governed by rules that were known and accepted by all. But can we really say that anymore? And in a global order in which force is increasingly at play, what becomes of the Rule of Law?
We welcome proposals that engage critically, creatively, and constructively with the symposium theme.
Submission Guidelines & Timeline:
Proposals of 250 to 500 words are invited to be submitted by September 15, 2025, and should outline the paper’s main thesis, methodology, and conclusions. Please submit proposals to Professor Charles J. Reid, Jr at the University of St. Thomas School of Law (cjreid@stthomas.edu).
Proposal Deadline: September 15, 2025
Notice of Acceptance: October 15, 2025
Conference Date: November 21, 2025
Full Paper Submission: February 1, 2026
Review and Publication:
Accepted proposals are expected to result in full papers, which will be considered for publication in the University of St. Thomas Journal of Law and Public Policy.Authors may participate in person or via Zoom. Travel grants may be available, and the Journal will assume costs for in-person speakers.
Contact Information:
For questions or additional information, please contact Jackie Moen at jlmoen@stthomas.edu or Anna Larson at lars9854@stthomas.edu.
We look forward to your submissions and to fostering an engaging discussion on this vital subject!