WashU Law recently hosted the inaugural Saudi Legal Symposium 2026, the first legal symposium of its kind held in the United States. The virtual program brought together scholars, practitioners, and students from across the globe to examine current issues in Saudi and comparative law.
Dean Stefanie Lindquist opened the Symposium and welcomed attendees on behalf of WashU Law, emphasizing WashU Law’s commitment to international dialogue and academic exchange.
Organized by the Saudi Law Students Association and led by JSD student Yasir Aljadani, the Symposium focused on three areas: presentation of scholarly papers and legal research, academic panel discussions, and broader professional engagement. Participants represented more than eight countries and over 224 academic and professional institutions. Registration exceeded 470 participants, including students and scholars from leading universities such as New York University, Duke University, University of California, Berkeley, and University of Chicago. The Symposium received formal support from the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to the United States, and had participants from professional organizations including Clifford Chance, White & Case, and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
The strong response and broad international participation mark a significant achievement for the Saudi Law Students Association and reflect the leadership and vision behind this inaugural program. WashU Law congratulates the organizers on setting a high standard for future collaboration and scholarship.
