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Vermont Law Review Presents: “Free Speech on Trial: Resisting Censorship in 2025”

October 3 @ 3:30 pm – October 4 @ 12:30 pm EDT

In celebration of its 50th volume, Vermont Law Review proudly presents its annual symposium, "Free Speech on Trial: Resisting Censorship in 2025."

In celebration of its 50th volume, Vermont Law Review proudly presents its annual symposium, “Free Speech on Trial: Resisting Censorship in 2025.”

This dynamic event will feature four panels examining pressing First Amendment issues—executive power and academic freedom in contemporary governance—the Pico v. Island Trees case and book banning in schools across the United States, a comparative panel with African artistic freedom of expression, and the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and free speech in democratic societies.

The symposium is free and open to the public. Both in-person and livestream attendance options are available. The livestream links will be shared on this page prior to the event.

To view the full agenda, please see below.

You can access the livestream via the following links:

Friday, October 3 | 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, October 4 | 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET

AGENDA:

Friday, October 3

3:30 p.m. | Opening Remarks

  • Katie Scott JD’26, Symposium Editor, Vermont Law Review
  • Ilinca Johnson JD’26, Symposium Editor, Vermont Law Review
  • Keynote Address: Rod Smolla, Professor of Law, Vermont Law and Graduate School

4 p.m. | Break

4:05 p.m. | Panel One, “Executive Power and Academic Freedom”

  • Moderator: Siu Tip Lam, Interim Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Vermont Law and Graduate School
  • Michael Hurley, Government Affairs Counsel, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)
  • Ryan Kane JD’13, Deputy Solicitor General, Vermont Attorney General’s Office
  • Sam Abel-Palmer, Executive Director, Legal Services Vermont
  • Apratim Vidyarthi, Litigation Associate, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher

5:20 p.m. | Break

5:30 p.m. | Panel Two, “Pico v. Island and Book Bans”

  • Moderator: Anna Connolly, Associate Professor of Law, Vermont Law and Graduate School
  • Rhiannon Hamam, Supervising Attorney, Mithoff Pro Bono Program, University of Texas School of Law, and Co-host, 5-4 Podcast
  • Michael Liroff, Creator and Co-host, 5-4 Podcast

6:45 p.m. | Social Hour

Saturday, October 4

8:30 a.m. | Check-in and Breakfast

9 a.m. | Opening Remarks

  • Ilinca Johnson JD’26, Symposium Editor, Vermont Law Review

9:05 a.m. | Panel Three, “African Artistic Freedom and Censorship”

  • Moderator: Emily Gould, Lawyer, Mediator, and Executive Coach
  • Sam Brakarsh, Chair, Pan-African Network on Artistic Freedom Summit
  • Adaobi Egboka, Director, Africa Initiative, Human Rights and Access to Justice Program, Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice
  • Muleta Kapatiso, Activist, Lawyer, and Development Practitioner
  • Lisa Sidambe, Independent Human Rights and Development Consultant

10:20 a.m. | Break

10:25 a.m. | Panel Four, “AI and the First Amendment”

  • Moderator: Benjamin Varadi, Associate Professor of Law, Vermont Law and Graduate School
  • Esha Bhandari, Deputy Director, ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project
  • John Coleman, Legislative Counsel, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)
  • Ilan Kogan, Associate, Litigation, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

11:45 a.m. | Closing Remarks

  • Katie Scott JD’26, Symposium Editor, Vermont Law Review
  • Ilinca Johnson JD’26, Symposium Editor, Vermont Law Review

Chase Community Center

164 Chelsea St.
South Royalton, VT 05068
View the Event Program

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