Remarks
The Honorable Jeffrey S. Sutton
United States Chief Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Mayor Paul Young
City of Memphis

The Supreme Court's recent term included decisions on gender-affirming medical care, First Amendment rights, birthright citizenship, immigration, the environment, and more. You will hear discussions of the decisions including concurring and dissenting opinions. 

Moderator
The Honorable Rachel Bloomekatz
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Speakers

As threats against judges have reached unprecedented levels, the Judiciary finds its more challenging than ever to uphold the rule of law. Our panel of federal judges and attorneys will examine the history of threats to the Judiciary, today's threats, the environment culturing threats (including incivility and ignorance of civics) and house such threats may affect independence of the Judiciary. We will explore appropriate ways to address those threats, manage expectations, and diminish stress. Topics will include legislative and administrative proposals for increased security, possible administrative changes advocated by the Administrative Office of the Courts and others, and the need for civics outreach designed to demystify (without diminishing) the majesty of the federal courts.

Moderator
The Honorable Jeffrey S. Sutton
United States Chief Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Speakers

Luncheon with Remarks by Solicitor General D. John Sauer

Moderator
The Honorable Amul R. Thapar
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeal

Speaker

The challenges that the healthcare industry has faced during recent decades bear little resemblance to the challenges of today. Some of these more recent challenges include the integration of artificial intelligence in providing medical treatment, the rise of cyberattacks targeting healthcare institutions and jeopardizing medical data privacy, the increasing use of telemedicine, and the expanding influence of private equity. This panel of healthcare law experts will discuss these and other emerging issues to assist judges and lawyers navigate this rapidly evolving area of the law.

Moderator
The Honorable Bernice D. Donald
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Speakers

Justices from the State Supreme Courts of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee discuss questions of federal and state law in each of the four states.

Moderator
The Honorable Eric E. Murphy
United States Circuit Judge Sixth
Circuit Court of Appeals

Speakers

The landscape for college athletes and athletic departments is ever changing. The recent approval of the settlement in NCAA v. House answered some questions about payments to athletes but leaves open many others. These experts - journalist, agent, conference legal counsel, and athletic director - will discuss the present and the future of college athletics.

Moderator
Geoff Calkins, Esq.
The Daily Memphian Sports Columnist

Speakers

Recent Supreme Court decisions have changed the way parties litigate, and judges decide, cases involving administrative law. Think Loper Bright v. Raimondo (nullifying Chevron deference), West Virginia v EPA (the major questions doctrine), FCC v. Consumers' Research (the nondelegation doctrine). In this session, experts will discuss recent developments, explain the current state, and forecast what to expect next in administrative law.

Moderator
The Honorable Richard Allen Griffin
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Speakers

The Life Member Reception is an event open to all registered Conference attendees. Continuous shuttle service will carry attendees between The Peabody and Old Dominick Distillery beginning at 5:45 PM. The Peabody pick-up and drop-off location will be on Union Avenue. Old Dominick Distillery drop-off and pick-up location will be in front of the building along S. Front Street.

The use of generative artificial intelligence impacts many areas of our lives. The rapid proliferation of AI tools in everyday life has magnified AI's implications for the courts. How will the judiciary and practitioners respond? To find out, hear from the chair of the federal judiciary's AI Task Force, an attorney in private practice who chairs his firm's AI Task Force, and a law professor who serves on the ABA President's Task Force on AI and the Law.

Moderator
The Honorable John B. Nalbandian
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Speakers

Multidistrict Litigation is a key part of the US legal system for handling complex cases with numerous plaintiffs or intricate issues. While MDLs have benefits, they also face criticism and discussions on alternatives continue. Panelists share perspective from the Plaintiff and Defendants side, as well as from the Chair of the US Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation.

Moderator
The Honorable Karen Nelson Moore
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Speakers

The Sentencing Guidelines remain a key piece of federal sentencing. In this session we will hear from the Chair of the Sentencing Commission and former Commissioner about recent changes to the Guidelines, as well as a look-ahead to potential amendments on the horizon. The judges will also provide some practice tips for attorneys handling federal criminal cases.

Moderator
The Honorable Stephanie D. Davis
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Speakers

The City of Memphis is also known as the home of Elvis Presley. While Elvis may have left the building - he has not left the law. Elvis's music, his life, and his death had significant impacts on various areas of law, including copyright law, NIL (name, image, and likeness) law, and estate law. We affectionately refer to the laws and litigation surrounding Elvis as "Elvis Law." Hear about Elvis Law from those who have had the privilege of representing individuals and entities surrounding the King of Rock N' Roll.

Moderator
The Honorable Julia Smith Gibbons
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Speakers

This session will provide practical advice for litigating gun cases after recent Second Amendment shifts triggered by Bruen and Rahimi. The Sixth Circuit's decision on United States v. Williams established a "dangerousness" inquiry for felons possessing firearms. How should litigators (and courts) approach that test, and should the test extend to cases involving other statutes? What challenges are arising with respect to other gun regulations and with civil litigation in the Second Amendment context? Join us for a discussion of these questions and more.

Moderator
The Honorable Raymond M. Kethledge
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Speakers

In this conversational program, Judge Kevin G. Ritz and Whitney D. Hermandorfer will field questions about their background (both professional and personal), the transition to the Sixth Circuit bench, and their perspective on judging. 

Moderator
The Honorable Chad A. Readler
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Speaker

Judge Andre B. Mathis and Judge Joan L. Larsen moderate a conversation with Associate Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh over a plated lunch.

Moderators
The Honorable Andre B. Mathis
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

The Honorable Joan L. Larsen
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Bus Tour Departs from The Peabody Hotel:

• Sun Studio
• Beale Street
• Stax Studio
• The Lorraine Motel
• Cotton Row
• The Peabody Hotel
• Overton Park
• Historic Central Gardens
• St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
• Early homes of Elvis, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash

Departs from The Peabody Hotel Lobby (near concierge desk)

• Historic Court Square
• Fourth Bluff Park, overlooking the Mississippi River
• Civil War Sites (the Battle of Memphis and Forrest's Raid)
• Cotton Row
• Deadman's Alley
• Main Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s last march

Mansion tour, plus explore exhibits showcasing Elvis' career, his automobiles, his wardrobe, his gold records, his custom jets, and much more from the Graceland Archives.

Join the tour for a special look into the heart and mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Learn more about the history of the hospital, patient stories, and the why and how to support St. Jude.

Exclusive guided tour of the National Civil Rights Museum, led by esteemed Memphis leaders and historians. This experience will provide firsthand accounts and insights into the legal ramifications of the movement and its profound impact on both Memphis and the nation.

Moderator
The Honorable Ronald L. Gilman
United States Circuit Judge
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

Speaker

Memphis has been called the bankruptcy capital of the world, and perhaps it is true. As we will see, the City itself found itself bankrupt at one time. But the part of the story that is not always told is that Memphis is a comeback city. We may sometimes fall down but never count us out. This morning we'll explore Memphis through the bankruptcies and rebirths of some of its celebrated citizens - Clarence Saunders, Isaac Hayes, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Sidney Schlenker. But we'll start with the story of how the City found itself $6 million in debt and lost its charter.

Speakers