The Central States Area Legal Writing Conference

Walk In Smiling:

How to Find Fun in Our Classes, Our Jobs, and Our Lives

Hosted by Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law

530 West New York Street

Indianapolis, IN 46202

September 15 – 16, 2017

Proposal Submission Guidelines

Deadline for Proposals: Friday, March 31, 2017

The Program Committee is seeking proposals for presentations at the conference. We are particularly interested in proposals that are broadly related to this year’s theme, which focuses on how we can make our classes more fun; how we can find fun in our jobs and personal lives; and how we can best teach students the notion that lawyering is fun.Since we are holding this conference close to the start of the school year, we are especially looking for presentation ideas that will provide conference participants with quick “take-aways” that they can bring home and incorporate into their classes.

Our time slots are generally set up in 50-minute increments, and there are many ways to present your topic. Below is a list of some suggestions, which is by no means exhaustive. Please note thatco-presenters and groups are welcome. In addition, as part of your proposal, please identify how your material(s) might be shared with the group.

  • 15-minute speed rounds (three to a time slot)
  • 25-minute presentations (single, co-presenter, or group) (two to a time slot)
  • 50-minute discussions (panel)

If you are interested in presenting, please send us a one- to two-page proposal with the following information:

  1. Your name, professional title and school.
  2. Contact information, e-mail address, and telephone number.
  3. Number of years teaching in a law school (we will consider applications with all levels of experience).
  4. Title of your presentation – what is the topic that would fit on a bumper sticker.
  5. One paragraph description of your presentation, about 300 words.
  6. Technology needs beyond the basics. All rooms have computers with internet, and projection and audio capabilities. We have DVD, CD, and flash drive ports.
  7. Whether the presentation is lecture style or, preferably, interactive.
  8. Preferred length and whether you’d be willing to adapt the presentation for a different length or format (e.g., presenting in a speed round or forming a panel with others presenting on the same topic).
  9. While most presenters will be chosen to present on only one topic, please submit as many proposals as you would like considered.

Please send proposals to Judith A. Rosenbaum, Clinical Professor of Law, at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Her e-mail address . Her telephone number is (312) 503-8943. Please send in Microsoft Word or the equivalent.

If you’ve never presented at a conference before, we urge you to give this opportunity special consideration and to let us know that this will be your first conference presentation. Presenting at a regional conference is one of the best ways to jump into the legal writing community at a broader level than just your school.

We will let presenters know by April 10 whether their proposals have been accepted; the specifics of the conference schedule (format, time, etc.) will be sent out in late April or early May.

Warmly,

The Conference Program Committee

Judy Rosenbaum, Chair

Elizabeth De Armond

Mary Nagel

Norm Plate

Wanda Temm