The Center for American and International Law

Today in the Rule of Law: The Southwestern Legal Foundation, now The Center for American and International Law, was chartered in Texas, marking the beginning of its mission to advance law and justice. (1947)

Why It Matters: Since its founding, CAIL has been dedicated to fostering education and collaboration among legal professionals worldwide, strengthening the rule of law.

Learn More about CAIL’s history: https://pulse.ly/i02wzwxqtm

🔄 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙥 | ITA Mining Arbitration Conference

As mining faces rising ESG pressure, regulatory shifts, and critical mineral demand, arbitration is more essential than ever.

The Institute for Transnational Arbitration's (ITA) 3rd Conference on International Arbitration in the Mining Sector, held March 5–6 in Toronto, brought together global legal and industry leaders for timely discussions on investment risk, cross-border disputes, and the evolving legal landscape.

💡 Highlights included:
▪️ Remarks from ITA Chair Chip Brower
▪️ Panels on social license to operate, ESG, and energy transition minerals
▪️ The Young ITA Roundtable for next-gen practitioners

and much more!

👏 Thank you to all who made this a standout event in a critical sector.

🔗 Full recap: https://pulse.ly/axmeyjuggs

🔄 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙥 | 76th Annual Energy Law Conference

400+ legal and energy pros from 28 states and 9 countries gathered in Houston for the Institute for Energy Law - IEL's 76th Annual Energy Law Conference—two days of big ideas, bold conversations, and powerful connections.

Highlights included:
▪️ A fireside chat with Jeff Taylor (Exxon Mobil) on legal leadership at scale
▪️ A keynote from Tim Latimer (Fervo Energy) on geothermal’s next frontier
▪️ Timely sessions on AI, litigation trends, and the legal side of the energy transition

🏆 We also honored Thomas E. Jorden (Coterra Energy) with the 2025 Distinguished Leadership in Energy Award and heard the Deans of Oil & Gas Lecture from Professor Keith B. Hall.

👏 Thank you to our speakers, faculty, and attendees for making this another unforgettable year.

🔗 Full recap: https://pulse.ly/grjptrbjxy

🌟 Why You Should Attend the Legacy and Leadership Awards Luncheon 🌟

On May 7, we’ll honor Harriet Miers, a legal trailblazer whose distinguished career has shaped the profession and advanced the rule of law.

Here’s why you won’t want to miss this special event:

✅ Exclusive insights from a fireside chat with Harriet, led by Kim Askew
✅ An opportunity to connect with distinguished guests, colleagues, and supporters
✅ Support CAIL’s mission to promote justice and elevate the legal and law enforcement professions
✅ Be part of a celebration honoring a remarkable legacy in law and public service

📅 May 7, 2025 | Arts District Mansion, Dallas
🕛 Networking at 11:30 AM | Program from Noon to 1:30 PM

🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://pulse.ly/4ylhiujfor
💡 Sponsorships available: https://pulse.ly/cvokx1f1il

Today in the Rule of Law: In 2022, Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court—becoming the fourth woman, and the first African American woman, to serve as a Justice.

Why It Matters: Her confirmation marked a significant moment in the Court’s history and serves as a reminder of the evolving story of American justice—one shaped by a range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. At its best, the legal system draws strength from its ability to serve all people with fairness and integrity.

Learn More: About Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson: https://pulse.ly/zi1ypgzyoy

Today in the Rule of Law: The U.S. Supreme Court decided Ex Parte Milligan, ruling it unconstitutional for military tribunals to try civilians while courts are operational. (1866)

Why It Matters: This landmark decision reaffirmed the principle of civilian judicial supremacy, ensuring that constitutional rights remain protected even in times of crisis.

Learn More: About Ex Parte Milligan: https://pulse.ly/cwopryexmc

🌟 Celebrate a Legal Trailblazer: Why You Should Attend 🌟

The Legacy and Leadership Awards Luncheon honors Harriet Miers, a trailblazing attorney and public servant whose distinguished career has shaped the legal landscape and advanced justice at the highest levels.

Here’s why you won’t want to miss it:

✅ A compelling fireside chat with Harriet, led by Kim Askew
✅ The opportunity to connect with distinguished guests, colleagues, and supporters
✅ Support for CAIL’s mission to promote the rule of law and elevate the legal and law enforcement professions
✅ Reflections on a remarkable legal legacy and commitment to service

📅 May 7, 2025 | Arts District Mansion, Dallas
🕛 Networking: 11:30 AM | Program: Noon–1:30 PM

🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://pulse.ly/mh8sxzv8so
💡 Sponsorships available: https://pulse.ly/rg2x7axtes

Legacy & Leadership: A CAIL Awards Luncheon Honoring Harriet Miers CAIL to present its most significant honor, the Achievement in the Pursuit of Justice for All Award, to Harriet Miers. Join us as we honor Harriet Miers with The Center for American and International Law’s Achievement in the Pursuit of Justice for All Award, recognizing a trailblazing leader who h...

🔄 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙥 | Fighting for Justice: The Return of the Capital Defense College

For the first time since 2019, the Capital Defense College returned to The Center for American and International Law's Criminal Justice and Actual Innocence Programs, reaffirming its mission to strengthen legal advocacy in death penalty cases.

Over three powerful days, 47 defense attorneys came together to sharpen their skills, explore cutting-edge topics like AI for the Capital Defender, and engage in honest conversations about the evolving landscape of capital litigation.

🌟 A highlight of the program was the long-awaited presentation of the Niland-Wischkaemper Award to Edward Ray Keith, honoring his unwavering dedication to justice. The award also paid tribute to the late Philip Wischkaemper, a beloved mentor and longtime CAIL faculty member.

🎤 Attendees were also deeply moved by a keynote from Anthony Graves, death row exoneree and founder of the Peer Navigator Project, whose story and advocacy added profound meaning to the event.

👏 Thank you to our faculty, speakers, and participants for making this such a meaningful and impactful program.

🔗 Read more about the 2025 Capital Defense College: https://pulse.ly/76ypcrenrl

📣 New! Explore CAIL's Work Like Never Before

Want to learn more about the incredible work happening across our institutes and programs? We’ve just launched interactive digital brochures that make it easier than ever to dive into what we do—and why it matters.

Get a closer look:

- CAIL Criminal Justice & Actual Innocence Programs: https://bit.ly/4itxcfl
- Institute for Law Enforcement Administration: https://bit.ly/4hqoRYy
- Southwestern Institute for International and Comparative Law Academy for American and International Law: https://bit.ly/4kUIYRI
- Institute for Energy Law - IEL : https://bit.ly/4bRZeP9
- Institute for Transnational Arbitration : https://bit.ly/4iGa8K2
- Institute for Law and Technology : https://bit.ly/4iHg0Db

📲 Tap to learn how each group is driving impact in law and leadership.

⚖️ A Legacy of Leadership: Harriet & CAIL ⚖️

For over 30 years, Harriet Miers has helped advance CAIL’s mission, strengthening legal education and the rule of law. As Chair of CAIL’s Board of Trustees (2014–2021), Harriet led key initiatives that expanded educational programs and deepened CAIL’s impact.

Now, we celebrate her legacy with CAIL’s highest honor—the Achievement in the Pursuit of Justice for All Award.

🎟️ Reserve your seat: https://pulse.ly/yyg2jniyt7
🔗 Sponsorships available: https://pulse.ly/mn1fkk9znv

✨ Honoring a Trailblazer: Harriet Miers ✨

Harriet Miers has broken barriers and strengthened the rule of law throughout her distinguished career. Her leadership and dedication to justice have paved the way for generations to come.

She was:
✅ The first woman to serve as President of both the Dallas Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas
✅ White House Counsel (2005–2007)
✅ A champion of legal education and access to justice
✅ Chair of CAIL’s Board of Trustees (2014–2021)

On May 7, we will celebrate her lasting legacy at the Legacy and Leadership Awards Luncheon, where she will be presented with CAIL’s Achievement in the Pursuit of Justice for All Award.

🎟️ Sponsorships: https://bit.ly/41uzi7l
🎟️ Secure Your Seat: https://bit.ly/3F6FZFo

As part of our Institute for Law Enforcement Administration ’s 64th School of Executive Leadership, sheriffs Marian Brown (Dallas County), Jim Skinner (Collin County), and Bill Waybourn (Tarrant County) joined us at our education center in Plano this past Friday for a candid conversation moderated by ILEA Deputy Director Matt Clem.

From navigating political dynamics to leading with a servant’s heart, the sheriffs shared what it really takes to lead at the county level. Their message? Every assignment is a stepping stone—and leadership begins with humility, purpose, and self-reflection.

Thank you to Sheriffs Brown, Skinner, and Waybourn for joining us and generously sharing your experience and insight with our future leaders.

💡 Support Justice & Legal Excellence – Become a Sponsor! 💡

On May 7, 2025, Harriet Miers will receive CAIL’s Achievement in the Pursuit of Justice for All Award at the Legacy and Leadership Awards Luncheon at the Arts District Mansion in Dallas.

Your organization can make an impact at the Legacy and Leadership Awards Luncheon while gaining premier visibility in the legal and law enforcement communities. Help us honor Harriet Miers and support CAIL’s mission. Sponsorships are limited!

🔗 Secure your sponsorship today: https://pulse.ly/yuqee3abvu

Today in the Rule of Law: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pioneering lawyer and Supreme Court Justice from 1993 to 2020, was born. (1933)

Why It Matters: Justice Ginsburg’s groundbreaking work in gender equality and her dedication to justice continue to inspire legal professionals worldwide to advocate for fairness and equity.

Learn More about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life and legacy: https://pulse.ly/wabhnxhq3j

Today in the Rule of Law: My Cousin Vinny, a legal comedy about two New Yorkers wrongfully accused of murder in rural Alabama, was released. (1992)

Memorable Scene: Mona Lisa Vito’s testimony, where her encyclopedic knowledge of cars unravels the prosecution’s case, is a perfect example of how expert witnesses can turn the tide in a trial.

Your Turn: What’s your favorite scene from the movie, and how does it highlight a key aspect of trial advocacy?

📢 Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership and Service!

The Center for American and International Law is proud to honor Harriet Miers with CAIL’s Achievement in the Pursuit of Justice for All Award at the Legacy & Leadership Awards Luncheon on May 7, 2025, at the Arts District Mansion in Dallas.

Miers, a trailblazing attorney and public servant, has shaped the legal profession through her leadership in private practice, government, and legal education. She was the first woman to lead a major Texas law firm, the first female president of both the Dallas Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas, and served as White House counsel to President George W. Bush.

For over 30 years, Miers has been deeply involved with CAIL, advancing its mission to promote justice and the rule of law. She served as Chair of CAIL’s Board of Trustees from 2014 to 2021, guiding the organization through a period of growth and impact. She has also contributed her expertise to key CAIL initiatives, shaping legal education and professional development worldwide.

🎙 The luncheon will feature a fireside chat with Kim Askew, offering a special opportunity to hear reflections on Miers’ extraordinary career and her contributions to CAIL and the legal community.

🔗 Sponsorships 👉 https://pulse.ly/hph1rdsdbu
🔗 Tickets 👉 https://bit.ly/3F6FZFo

📍 Event Details
📅 May 7, 2025
📍 Arts District Mansion, Dallas, TX
⏰ Networking at 11:30 a.m. | Program from 12:00–1:30 p.m.

Today in the Rule of Law: Professor Will Baude introduced the term "Shadow Docket" to describe Supreme Court practices. (2015)

Why It Matters: The term highlights the importance of transparency and accessibility in judicial processes. Understanding court practices ensures trust in legal institutions and promotes public engagement with the law.

Learn More about the Shadow Docket: https://pulse.ly/hvmtv5wxs9