Law Review Symposium

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The Law Review annually welcomes scholars, legal professionals and community leaders from across the country to discuss legal issues related to important current events.

Watch this page for information on the upcoming symposium, including contact and registration information, presenters, panels and agenda. For past topics, see the Past Symposia page.

 

Questions Regarding the Law Review Symposium?

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    Contact the Acting Symposium Director

    For questions regarding the Law Review Symposium, please contact Hannah Bloomfield, Executive Symposium Director at bloomfhj@udmercy.edu.

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    Call For Proposals

    CALL FOR PROPOSALS
    University of Detroit Mercy Law Review Symposium 2026
    From Policy to Practice: Navigating AI in theLegal Profession
    Proposal Deadline: Friday, November 7, 2025
    Symposium: Friday, March 6, 2026
    Final Manuscripts: Friday, March 16, 2026


    Call for Proposals:

    The University of Detroit Mercy Law Review is currently accepting proposals for our annual symposium. In celebration of the 103rd Volume of the Detroit Mercy Law Review, this year’s theme is From Policy to Practice: Navigating AI in the Legal Profession. The symposium will take place at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in Detroit, Michigan, on Friday, March 6, 2026.

    The practice of law is undergoing a profound transformation. Imagine a courtroom where predictive algorithms assist attorneys in crafting winning strategies, a boardroom where AI models help navigate complex transactions with precision and creativity, and a classroom where professors use AI to enhance learning and prepare students for the evolving legal landscape. Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant possibility or a temporary technological achievement—it is rapidly reshaping how attorneys conduct research, draft documents, advise clients, and advocate for justice.

    AI’s potential is vast, but so too are the ethical, professional, and legal questions it raises. For instance: How will AI reshape the training and education of the next generation of lawyers? How do we maintain client confidentiality in an age of automation? How can lawyers leverage AI without compromising the human judgment and advocacy that are the hallmarks of our profession?

    This symposium topic seeks to examine the evolutionary role of AI in the practice of law, exploring not only how lawyers can effectively leverage emerging technologies, but also how to navigate the legal, ethical, and policy implications that accompany their use. By fostering dialogue among leading practitioners and scholars, we aim to investigate the future of legal work in an age of automation and innovation. Participants will gain insight into both the practical applications of AI in daily practice and the broader considerations for justice, equity, and the rule of law.

    Detroit Mercy Law Review invites academics, scholars, practitioners, and other stakeholders to submit proposals for panel presentations and/or publication on topics involving AI and the practice of law. Some potential topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • The use of AI in litigation and trial advocacy, including e-discovery, jury analysis, and predictive case outcomes.
    • AI in transactional practice, including contract drafting, due diligence, and negotiation strategies.
    • Legal ethics in the age of AI including its applicability to legal competence, confidentiality, bias, and accountability.
    • AI in legal writing, research, and education: the role of technology in the classroom and professional training.
    • Regulatory and policy challenges posed by AI in the legal profession.
    • AI and access to justice: how technology can expand or limit legal services for underserved communities.

    Submission Procedure:

    Proposals should be approximately 250–500 words, double-spaced, and should detail the proposed topic and presentation. Proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM EST, Friday, November 7, 2025, by email to Hannah Bloomfield, Executive Symposium Editor at lawreview@udmercy.edu. In your email, please indicate whether your proposal is for a presentation only, or if you plan to submit an article based on your presentation for potential publication in the Detroit Mercy Law Review. Also, please include a current CV or resume.

    If you do not wish to present at the Symposium but would like to submit a relevant unpublished article for potential publication in the Detroit Mercy Law Review, please indicate that in your email as well. If your article is already complete, please attach a copy for review.

    Decisions will be emailed on or before December 15, 2025. The final completed manuscripts must be submitted by March 16, 2026, for the Law Review Staff to commence editing.

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