Welcome!
Dear Judicial Colleagues, Court Unit Executives, Lawyer Representatives, and Distinguished Guests:
This year, our nation will commemorate its Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference will honor and celebrate this historic milestone with a stellar lineup of programming during its annual gathering, which will take place in Bellevue, Washington—across Lake Washington from Seattle. The conference will run from Monday, July 20, through Thursday, July 23, with check-in beginning on Sunday, July 19.
The Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference is honored to convene in the Western District of Washington, a region that reflects the innovation and civic spirit that define the American story. Bellevue and its surrounding area, including nearby Seattle, encompass a region with profound historical influence on technology, modern music, and, of course, coffee culture. The Western District is also home to an extensive network of mountains, forests, and lakes, providing conference visitors with the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The conference itself will be held at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s Eastside, in the heart of downtown Bellevue, known for its lively shopping and dining district and lush green spaces.
Under the leadership of Arizona District Judge Michael T. Liburdi, Conference Chair, and Circuit Judge Holly A. Thomas, Program Chair, the Ninth Circuit Conference Executive Committee has developed a full slate of robust and engaging programming that speaks to America’s momentous anniversary. Conference attendees will revisit the Supreme Court’s landmark 1964 decision in New York Times v. Sullivan, which fundamentally changed the law of defamation, exploring the impacts of this decision on our modern media and technological landscape. A panel exploring the original meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment will allow attendees to reflect on the original intent of Congress when it established the rights to equal protection and due process of law. During other panels, attendees will contemplate the future of higher education, the evolution of our privacy rights in the digital age, and the continuing impact of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act upon tribal economic development. Our Bench and Bar programs will offer attendees further opportunities for discussion about a variety of appellate, bankruptcy, civil, and criminal issues.
The Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference returns this year with an outstanding lineup of featured speakers. These include constitutional law scholar Professor Akhil Reed Amar, who will deliver a keynote address reflecting on the idea of birth equality and how it transformed American constitutional history; Dr. Jane Kamensky, historian and President and CEO of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, who will offer historical perspective on the nation’s early years; and Dean Erwin Chemerinsky, who, in conversation with well-known Supreme Court advocate Kannon Shanmugam, will discuss pressing constitutional and legal topics facing the judiciary and the country. Building on this programming, the conference is honored that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan will again join us to address attendees. I invite you to review the conference agenda on our website to further explore these and the other dynamic conference sessions commemorating our nation’s 250th anniversary.
In addition to this programming, we invite attendees to step into the world of pop culture for an offsite event at the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), housed in a striking building designed by renowned architect Frank O. Gehry. Sitting next to Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, MOPOP is home to 10+ exhibitions, rare artifacts, and immersive programming. Conference attendees will enjoy a locally inspired dinner alongside a private museum experience. Form a band in the Sound Lab; experience the sounds of Gospel, Blues, Jazz, and Soul in Never Turn Back; play games from around the Globe in the Indie Game Revolution—these are just some of the exciting activities that await at the museum. From sci-fi and music to fashion and gaming, MOPOP’s world-class exhibitions put you at the center of every story.
During the conference, we will also recognize the winners of this year’s Ninth Circuit Civics Contest. Over 1,200 high school students participated in the essay and video contest on the topic Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness—Your Voice. Your Story. Your America. First-place winners at the circuit level will attend the conference. We hope that you have an opportunity to meet and celebrate these remarkable young scholars who will carry forward the ideals we are gathering to reflect upon.
All conference registration information will be provided on the conference website. I hope you will join me in Bellevue by registering no later than Friday, June 26, 2026. I look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
Mary H. Murguia
Chief Judge