5th Annual Epoch Symposium: Power of Defiance in the Face of Law

Presented by Seattle University School of Law, the Black Law Student Association, and the Law Review

Date: Friday, March 13, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM PT (11:00 AM – 4:30 PM ET)

Location: Virtual (via Zoom)

Join us for the 5th Annual Epoch Symposium, exploring this year’s powerful theme: Power of Defiance in the Face of Law.

Our distinguished scholars will examine how Black and Brown communities have historically radicalized the law through acts of resistance. Discussions will explore how legal structures continue to sustain systems of power, and crucially, how the law itself can be reclaimed as an instrument of defiance.

The program features prominent critical race scholars and practitioners from across the nation engaging in timely discussions on the history of law as both a site of oppression and a tool of defiance.

Featured Speakers & Highlights

• Institutional Welcome: Kristin DiBiase, Associate Dean for Student Affairs

• Opening Remarks: Professor Richard Delgado & Professor Jean Stefancic

• Keynote Address: Karen Koehler, nationally recognized civil rights and personal injury litigator and partner at The Stritmatter Firm.

• Special Feature: A livestream podcast recording of The Velvet Hammer, discussing the legal landscape of current events.

• Closing Remarks: Elinor Jones Toutant, on behalf of BLSA.

Symposium Schedule

Note: Times listed are in Pacific Time (PT)

• 8:00 AM: Institutional Welcome: Kristin DiBiase, Associate Dean for Student Affairs

• 8:05 AM: Opening Remarks by Prof. Richard Delgado & Prof. Jean Stefancic

• 8:20 AM: Panel 1

• 9:25 AM: Panel 2

• 10:30 AM: Break

• 11:00 AM: Keynote Address by Karen Koehler (with Q&A)

• 12:00 PM: Podcast Recording of The Velvet Hammer

• 12:30 PM: Panel 3

• 1:30 PM: Closing Remarks by Elinor Jones Toutant

The Zoom link for this event will be sent to RSVP's a few days before the event.  If you register for the event on or after March 11th, please reach out to Anita Jahangiri (ajahangiri@seattleu.edu) to receive the link.