Santa Clara University School of Law proudly served as a key sponsor of a momentous celebration of legal scholarship and literary prowess hosted by Northwestern University School of Law, “Writing Langston: A Conference on Langston Hughes and the Law.” This innovative event, held in the heart of Chicago, delved into the intersections of Langston Hughes’s powerful literary works and legal theory, bridging the worlds of poetry and jurisprudence. The conference aimed to explore Hughes’s influence on legal thought and his reflections on justice, identity, and social change.
Santa Clara Law’s sponsorship underscores its commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and advancing legal scholarship. The collaboration between Northwestern and Santa Clara was a testament to the growing recognition of the role literature plays in shaping legal perspectives and enriching our understanding of the law.
The event featured a series of engaging panels and presentations from distinguished scholars and practitioners who examined how Hughes’s writings resonate within contemporary legal contexts. Scholars discussed topics ranging from Hughes’s critiques of racial injustice to the implications of his poetry on modern legal theory. The conference provided a platform for these discussions, offering a unique lens through which attendees could appreciate the depth of Hughes’s work and its relevance to ongoing legal debates.
Professor Taylor Dalton Attends the 15th Annual John Mercer Langston Writing Workshop
“I want to thank you and the Santa Clara University School of Law for generously sponsoring this nationally-recognized program. By supporting Langston, your institution has made an incredibly valuable contribution to the growth of the legal academy. Your support of the Annual Workshop affirms your institution’s historical commitment to academic freedom and open inquiry, to moral and ethical values, and to diversity in higher education,” wrote Sheldon A. Evans, President, Professor of Law, Washington University School of Law, on behalf of the participants in the 15th Annual John Mercer Langston Writing Workshop and the John Mercer Langston Group, Inc. (Langston) Board of Directors, in a letter to thank Dean Kaufman.
Santa Clara Law’s sponsorship was instrumental in bringing this conference to life. The support from Santa Clara not only helped facilitate the logistical aspects of the event but also highlighted the law school’s dedication to innovative approaches in legal education and scholarship. By aligning with Northwestern’s vision, Santa Clara demonstrated its commitment to exploring how diverse disciplines intersect with and inform the practice and theory of law.
Attendees from various institutions gathered to celebrate Hughes’s legacy and engage in thought-provoking discussions. Santa Clara Law’s Professor Taylor Dalton sums up his experience at the workshop “the Langston workshop is one of the most valuable writing workshops I attend regularly. Not only are our discussions of scholarship thoughtful and constructive, but we all benefit from the fellowship with scholars at many stages of their careers from law schools around the country. I am thankful that law schools like Santa Clara support this forum for scholarly development, and I look forward to next year’s workshop.” The event was marked by a spirit of collaboration and intellectual curiosity, with participants reflecting on how Hughes’s themes of resilience, justice, and equality continue to inspire and challenge the legal community.
As the conference concluded, the synergy between the literary and legal realms was palpable. Santa Clara University School of Law’s support helped ensure that the event was both impactful and memorable, furthering its mission to advance legal scholarship through interdisciplinary exploration. The collaboration between Santa Clara and Northwestern exemplified how academic institutions can work together to illuminate new dimensions of understanding and foster a richer dialogue on crucial societal issues.
