WashU Law welcomed scholars and academics for the Third Annual John Mercer Langston Midwest Writing Workshop, co-chaired by Professor Sheldon Evans.
The event opened with a Friday evening reception, followed by a full day of scholarly workshops. Designed to foster collaboration and feedback among law faculty, the workshop brought together participants from across the Midwest, with priority given to members of the John Mercer Langston organization affiliated with regional law schools.
Each attendee presented a paper and served as a commentator for another scholar’s work, encouraging meaningful academic exchange. Professor Evans presented his paper “Immigration Sentencing Guidelines,” where he argues that the U.S. deportation system suffers from excessive judicial discretion, inconsistency, and disproportionality, which undermine fairness and legitimacy in determining who belongs in the American community.
William M. Van Cleve Professor of Law Adrienne Davis presented her paper “Race and Art Markets,” which examines how race and economics intersect in the world of fine art. Using the controversy surrounding the auction of Amy Sherald’s Welfare Queen as a case study, Professor Davis explores the concept of “affinity stewardship”, the idea that both Black artists and collectors share a responsibility to preserve and honor the cultural and financial value of Black art.
The annual workshop continues to inspire innovative legal thought and build lasting connections among scholars nationwide.
