11th Biennial Applied Legal Storytelling Conference
Join us for the 11th Biennial Applied Legal Storytelling Conference at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law from June 2-4, 2027. This conference brings together legal scholars, educators, and practitioners to explore the theory and practice of applied legal storytelling. Additional details will be posted soon!
Call for proposals
We are now accepting presentation proposals for the Eleventh Biennial Applied Legal Storytelling Conference.
About Applied Legal Storytelling
Applied Legal Storytelling (AppLS) examines the use of stories, storytelling, and narrative elements in law practice, legal education, and the law. The conference brings together academics, judges, lawmakers, practitioners, and other legal storytellers from a wide range of disciplines, schools, organizations, and countries. This intentionally broad definition invites creativity in both the topics explored and the ways presenters share their work.
Held biennially since 2007, the conference is collegial, inclusive, and supportive of presenters' work. The 2027 conference is sponsored by the Legal Writing Institute and the Clinical Legal Education Association.
Possible presentation topics
- Fiction-writing techniques or narrative theory in legal storytelling
- Stories in the law, or law as stories
- Legal storytelling and metaphor
- Client-story advocacy
- Legal storytelling and cognitive science
- Ethical considerations in legal storytelling
These examples are illustrative, not exhaustive. We welcome proposals that explore other dimensions of Applied Legal Storytelling.
Proposal requirements
Conference-program summary
Provide a concise summary of no more than 60 words for possible use in the conference program.
Narrative description
Provide a narrative description of no more than 500 words for use in the selection process.
The conference will offer 50-minute and 25-minute presentation slots. Proposers may indicate a preferred format or their willingness to be considered for any available format.
Submission deadlines and decisions
Priority deadline
October 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time
Proposers who meet this deadline will be notified by late November.
Extended deadline
December 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
Proposers who meet this deadline will be notified by early February.
Conference schedule and presenter information
- June 2: The conference begins with a late-afternoon or early-evening reception.
- June 3-4: A plenary session and presentations will be offered in concurrent sessions.
- June 4: The conference concludes with a conference dinner.
Selected presenters must present in person, pay the conference registration fee, and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. Hotel, registration, and other information will be posted on the conference website as it becomes available.
Submit your proposal
Use the online form to submit a proposal. Download the complete call for proposals for additional information, resources, detailed presentation guidance, and planning-committee contacts.