Austin College Law Symposium to Focus on Digital Privacy
SHERMAN, TEXAS — Austin College will host its annual Dr. Kenneth Street Law Symposium, focusing on the theme “Privacy in the Digital Era” Thursday, February 22, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The symposium opens with oral argument before the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals, which lawyers, students, and others interested in the law profession are welcome to attend. Following the court session will be a luncheon with keynote speaker, panel discussions, and a closing reception. The State Bar of Texas has approved the 2024 Law Symposium for 3.5 hours of general CLE and 1.0 hours of ethics credit.
Symposium registration is $50 for attorneys, $25 for the general public, $15 for members of the Grayson County Bar Association, and free to students from all colleges and universities as well as Austin College faculty and staff. Registration is required for all attendees at the following link: Law Symposium Registration
From 9 a.m. – 9:50 a.m., security check-in for the court session will take place in Ida Green Communication Center lobby. Please note that no large bags, briefcases, or cellphones will be allowed, and doors will close at 9:50 a.m. Bag check will be available.
From 10 a.m. – noon, oral argument before the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals will be heard in Ida Green Communication Center, Sally and Jim Nation Theatre.
The keynote luncheon begins at noon in Wright Campus Center, Mabee Hall. The topic of the keynote speech, to be delivered by The Honorable John Browning, former Justice on Texas Fifth Court of Appeals, will be Artificial Intelligence and the Legal Profession.
Afternoon sessions will be held in Sherman Hall, Hoxie Thompson Auditorium.
From 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., The Evidence Contained on Our Mobile Devices (it is more than you think) will be presented by Lance Sloves, Certified Computer Examiner for Computer Forensic Services.
From 3:10 p.m. – 4:10 p.m., featured alumni speaker Abbas Ravjani ’04, Privacy and Public Policy Senior Manager, Ads, Monetization, and Data Strategy at Meta will present Privacy in the Era of Big Data.
From 4:20 p.m. – 5:20 p.m., Ethical Considerations of Digital Evidence will be presented by Timothy H. Hsieh, Assistant Professor of Law at Oklahoma City University School of Law.
A reception will follow the symposium at the Collins Alumni Center at 809 N. Grand Ave.
The event honors the late Dr. Kenneth W. Street, longtime Austin College faculty member. A revered professor of political science at Austin College from 1959 to 1997, Dr. Street held the John D. Moseley Chair of Government and Public Policy and founded and directed the Social Science Laboratory. An award-winning educator, he also served many years as the advisor for students considering careers in law and launched many professionals in the fields of law and government. He remained active in the life of the College until his death in 2017.
The Law Symposium is organized by the Alumni “L” Law Association and Austin College Pre-Law Society, under the direction of Dr. Frank Rohmer, Associate Professor of Political Science and John D. Moseley Chair in Government and Public Policy.
The 2024 symposium sponsors include the Austin College Pre-Law Society, Austin College Student Assembly, Brandy Baxter-Thompson ’98, Honorable Jay Bender ’95, Sarah R. Duff ’04, Buck ’60 and Robyn McChesney Files ’62, Grayson County Bar Association, LeCrone Law Firm PC, McCullough Mediation, Adam B. Reed ’94 & Associates, The Sumners Foundation, Texas Instruments, and Ucherek Law Firm (Brenda Montfort-Ucherek ’88 and Bill Ucherek II ’89).
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.