As we mark the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the call to “Let Freedom Ring” is not merely a commemoration of the past, but an urgent mandate for the future of legal education. In 2026, the architecture of our democracy faces unprecedented scrutiny, and the role of the law teacher has never been more pivotal. From the front lines of our classrooms to the high stakes of our courtrooms and the grassroots of our communities, the struggle to define and defend true freedom continues.

We find ourselves at a critical juncture where academic inquiry is often met with opposition, and the fundamental right to teach and learn truthfully is under fire. The erosion of precedent in our courts and the widening gaps in our communities demand a legal academy that does more than observe—it must empower. We are called to prepare a new generation of advocates who can navigate a landscape where voting rights, bodily autonomy, and equal protection are being fundamentally reshaped.

The 2026 SALT Teaching Conference invites us to examine how we can amplify the “ring of freedom” across three vital spheres:

• In Classrooms: Protecting academic freedom and fostering inclusive environments where critical race theory, gender justice, and systemic reform are taught with courage.
• In Courts: Analyzing the shifting judicial tides and developing strategies to protect the vulnerable through innovative litigation and scholarship.
• In Communities: Bridging the gap between the ivory tower and the streets, ensuring that legal education serves the pursuit of liberation for all.

In the spirit of the activists and legal pioneers who transformed the meaning of liberty over the last two and a half centuries, we refuse to stay silent. We gather to sharpen our tools, renew our collective resolve, and ensure that the promise of freedom is felt in every corner of our society.

Join us as we work to ensure that in 2026 and beyond, freedom does not just ring—it resonates.

Scholarships available, learn more.