The Center for International and Comparative Law at Emory University School of Law presents the 2026 David J. Bederman Symposium on Access to Global Justice. As international law increasingly focuses on individual rights, national justice systems have become the new frontier for enforcement, necessitating robust procedural mechanisms to handle complex disputes and rapid technological transformation. This symposium gathers distinguished judges, scholars, and practitioners to examine how jurisdictions are designing these mechanisms to ensure meaningful rights enforcement across diverse legal traditions.
The program explores critical innovations in the justice sector, ranging from collective litigation and alternative dispute resolution to the digitalization of judicial processes and the emerging role of artificial intelligence. Panels will delve into "Making Global Justice Accessible," addressing constitutional rights and digital tools; "Class and Strategic Litigation," focusing on social good and reform; and "Public vs. Private Funding of Justice," which analyzes the balance between legal aid, third-party funding, and regulatory considerations.
Keynote addresses will be delivered by Laila Medina, Advocate General of the Court of Justice of the European Union and The Honorable Lee Rosenthal, United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. Generously supported by the David J. Bederman Fund, this event honors the legacy of renowned scholar David J. Bederman by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on the future of rule of law and the cost of justice in a globalized world.