2026 SALT Teaching Conference & Junior Faculty Development Workshop
Celebrate a legacy of legal education at the University of Washington. Join us for critical insights and community impact during our main event or our focused pre-conference workshop.
October 22, 2026 – Faculty Development Workshop
October 23–24, 2026 – Teaching Conference
Let Freedom Ring
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.
The Host City
Experience the Pacific Northwest at its finest during your visit for the SALT conference. Seattle offers a vibrant academic and cultural environment, with easy access to the law school, waterfront, and skyline.
The University of Washington School of Law is housed in William H. Gates Hall, located on the northwest corner of the main Seattle campus.
4293 Memorial Way NE, Seattle, WA 98195.
Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle University District
Residence Inn by Marriott Seattle University District, 4501 12th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA.
Special SALT rate: $179.00. Deadline to reserve: 9/22/26.
You will receive a booking link via email after registering.
Junior Faculty Development Workshop Schedule
Thursday, October 22, 2026 – Schedule details coming soon.
Plenary Sessions
Plenary session details and times will be posted soon and updated regularly as speakers are confirmed.