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A panel discussion is taking place at a conference held at the UF Law College. Four individuals are seated at a table on stage, with one person speaking. In the foreground, the audience is attentively listening. The background features a blue backdrop with the UF Law logo. National and state flags are visible at the side of the stage, and additional seating is arranged in the room.

UF Law Hosts Second Originalism Conference

The University of Florida Levin College of Law hosted its Second Annual Originalism Conference on March 5-6, 2026, in Gainesville, Florida. This two-day event gathered federal judges, state supreme court justices, and leading scholars and advocates to deeply explore originalism’s role in constitutional interpretation and its relationship with contemporary adjudication.

Thursday’s sessions included:

  1. Junior Scholar Presentations and Discussions: Newby Parton, Law Clerk, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and Professor Tyler Lindley of Brigham Young University Law School presented. Discussants included: Professor Josh Blackman (South Texas College of Law Houston), Professor Gary Lawson (UF Levin College of Law), Professor Tara Grove (University of Texas at Austin School of Law), and Professor Ben Johnson (UF Levin College of Law).
  2. Teaching Originalism Roundtable Discussion moderated by UF Levin College of Law Interim Dean Merritt McAlister with participation from: Judge Kathryn Mizelle (U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida), Professor Adam Lebovitz (UF Hamilton School), Professor Ben Johnson (UF Levin College of Law), and Professor Josh Blackman (South Texas College of Law Houston).

Friday’s program included three major panels:

  1. “Institutional Division of Labor” discussed how legal scholarship can supplement courts’ capacities to perform rigorous originalist historical and linguistic research, featuring Professor Randy Barnett (Georgetown University Law Center), Justice Jamie Grosshans (Florida Supreme Court), Acting Solicitor General Jeffrey DeSousa (Office of the Florida Attorney General), and Professor Michael Wolf (UF Levin College of Law). The discussion was moderated by Professor John Stinneford (UF Levin College of Law).

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  1. “Originalism and State Constitutions” examined unique challenges and opportunities in applying originalist methods to state constitutions, with insights from state supreme court justices and federal judges, featuring Justice John Couriel (Florida Supreme Court), Professor Marcus Gadson (University of North Carolina School of Law), and Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit). Professor Jonathan Marshfield (UF Levin College of Law) moderated.

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  1. “SCOTUS End of Term Preview” provided an analysis of key upcoming Supreme Court cases, their possible outcomes, and the influence of originalism on this term’s jurisprudence. The panel included Professor Tara Grove (University of Texas at Austin School of Law), Professor Jed Shugerman (Boston University School of Law), and Professor Gary Lawson (UF Levin College of Law). UF Levin College of Law Interim Dean Merritt McAlister moderated.

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The conference highlighted the vital connections between the academy and judiciary and sparked thoughtful discussions on the past, present, and future of constitutional law. Read more about the event and speakers.

Photo Gallery

Image of UF Law's courtroom with several large screens displaying information. The screens show the text: "Welcome to the 2026 UF Law Originalism Conference" followed by the subtitle "Courts and the Academy" and the dates "March 5 & 6." In the foreground, part of a person’s head and shoulders is visible, with a soft-focus background. The room features windows and wooden paneling, giving it a formal appearance. An American flag can also be seen in the corner.
A person with glasses and a beard sits attentively in UF Law's courtroom, wearing a navy suit and a patterned tie. In the background, blurred figures are present, indicating an audience or group setting. There is wooden paneling and rows of seating visible.
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A person stands at a podium wearing a bow tie and a suit, speaking to the audience inside UF Law's courtroom. In the background, there are backdrops for the University of Florida Levin College of Law. To the left, another person sits at a table with a laptop. The audience, visible in the foreground, is listening attentively.
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A close-up image of a stack of conference programs displayed on a blue tablecloth. The top program features bold text reading "2026 ORIGINALISM CONFERENCE" with a subtitle "Courts and the Academy." A pen is partially visible in the background.
A panel discussion is taking place at a conference held at the UF Law College. Four individuals are seated at a table on stage, with one person speaking. In the foreground, the audience is attentively listening. The background features a blue backdrop with the UF Law logo. National and state flags are visible at the side of the stage, and additional seating is arranged in the room.
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A panel discussion taking place at a conference in UF Law's courtroom. Five individuals sit at a table with microphones and water bottles, engaging with the audience. The backdrop features the University of Florida Levin College of Law logo. The audience is visible in the foreground, focusing on the panel. The room has a formal setting with rows of chairs and wooden accents.
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A panel discussion is taking place in UF Law's courtroom. One individual, dressed in a white suit and glasses, is speaking while gesturing with a hand. In front of them, there are bottles of water on the table and a nameplate. A second individual, dressed in a blue suit, sits beside them, listening attentively. The background features a dark wood interior typical of a courtroom.
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Three speakers are seated at a table during a panel. In the background, a blue backdrop represents the University of Florida Levin College of Law. An American flag is visible on the left side of the image. The speakers are engaged in discussion, with two seated at the table and one speaking into a microphone. An audience is visible in the foreground, attending the event.
Three individuals are seated at a table during a panel discussion. The backdrop features the logos of the University of Florida Levin College of Law. On the table are name plates for each participant. The first person on the left is smiling and wearing a black suit. The second person, in a blue suit, is speaking and gesturing with their hands. The third person on the right is dressed in a black suit and appears to be listening attentively. In the foreground, several audience members are partially visible, seated and focused on the panel.
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A panel discussion takes place at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Four individuals are seated at a table in front of a backdrop displaying the university's logo and the words "UF LAW." Three panelists are positioned at the table: two on the left and one in the center, alongside a third person on the right. The audience is visible in the foreground, with rows of auditorium seating.
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A person wearing glasses and a colorful scarf is smiling while handing documents to another individual seated in UF Law's courtroom. The setting is well-lit, with wooden paneling in the background and additional people visible in the distance, engaged in conversation.
A group of individuals is seated at a table during a panel discussion. One person, wearing glasses and a brown suit, gestures while speaking into a microphone, appearing engaged in discussion. In front of them are water bottles and a laptop, with a nameplate visible. The background features a blue backdrop with the UF Law logos. Another person sits to their right, focused on the conversation.
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A person with glasses is seated at a panel discussion. They are speaking into a microphone and gesturing with their right hand. A name tag is visible on the table in front of them, displaying the name "Tara Grove." In the background, another panelist is partially visible, sitting with a thoughtful expression. A bottle of water is placed on the table.
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