The South Carolina Law Review is proud to present its 2026 symposium: Judicial Independence: Safeguard of the Constitution.

As Justice Kennedy observed, "An independent judiciary is not so that judges can do what they want, but so they can do what they must." This year's program will examine judicial independence in context - exploring judicial selection methods, separation of powers, and the principles of federalism and comity. While we recognize the breadth of these themes, we hope to illuminate the many ways they intersect and shape one another. Join us February 26 to hear remarks from an esteemed group of leading academics and practitioners, including:

• Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of UC Berkeley School of Law
• Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Senior District Judge, District of South Carolina
• Jonathan Entin, David L. Brennan Professor Emeritus of Law, Case Western Reserve University
• Derek Black, Professor of Law and Ernest F. Hollings Chair in Constitutional Law, University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law 
• Judge Richard Gergel, District Judge, District of South Carolina
• Mnotho Ngcobo, Assistant Professorof Law, University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
• Scott Bauries, Professor of Law, University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law
• Judy Perry Martinez, President of the World Justice Project
• Trey Gowdy, Current Host of Fox News' Sunday Night in America with Trey Gowdy and Former U.S. Representative for the 4th Congressional District of South Carolina
• Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr., Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• Jonathan Ellison, Senior Associate, Wilmer Hale
• Jeffrey Stempel, Doris S. and Theodore B. Lee Professor of Law, University of Nevada, Las Vegas William S. Boyd School of Law
• Jennifer Brobst, Associate Professor of Law, University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
• Rhett DeHart, Partner, Adams & Reese
• Stephanie Radcliff, 2L, USC Joseph F. Rice School of Law, Editorial Staff, South Carolina Law Review

Thank you to all our sponsors!

Black Diamond Sponsors: Nelson Mullins and Bowman & Brooke

Diamond Sponsor: Adams & Reese

Platinum Sponsors: Murphy & Grantland and Richardson Thomas

Silver Sponsor: Robinson Gray