Events Calendar

The UT Muslim Legal Society's Annual Community Iftar is a special event where students, faculty, and community members come together to break their fast during Ramadan. It provides an opportunity for connection, reflection, and shared meals as participants observe the traditions of the holy month. The gathering encourages community bonding and strengthens relationships within the law school.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/03/25/81576/

chnology, Security, and Global Affairs On Wednesday, March 26, the Strauss Center will host Alex Zerden, founder of Capitol Peak Strategies and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security’s Energy, Economics, and Security Program, for a discussion on “Guns, Drugs, and Cash: Financial Warfare from Damascus to Pyongyang.” This talk will be held as a fireside chat with Strauss Center Director Adam Klein.

This discussion will touch on themes surrounding national security law and financial intelligence, case studies on the use of economic tools for national security (from tariffs to countering terrorism financing to anti-money laundering initiatives), the impact of new and emerging technologies like cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, the role of the U.S. dollar and U.S. institutions in economic statecraft, current threats, and more.

This is event is free and open to the public and lunch will be provided. Garage parking is available for a fee at the Manor Garage and the San Jacinto Garage. Parking will not be validated and parking in Lots 37 and 39 are prohibited for non-UT parking permit holders.

For any questions about this event, contact Brittany Horton at brittany.horton@austin.utexas.edu.

Biography Alex Zerden is the founder and principal of Capitol Peak Strategies, a DC-based risk advisory firm, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), and a senior advisor to WestExec Advisors, a geopolitical risk consultancy.

As a regulatory lawyer, economic policymaker, and financial diplomat, Alex brings a depth of public and private sector experience at the intersection of financial services, economics, and national security. Alex has published extensively on issues involving economic statecraft such as economic sanctions, counter threat finance, and emerging financial technologies.

Alex previously worked across the U.S. government, including at the White House National Economic Council, Congress, and the Treasury Department’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Alex deployed to Afghanistan to lead the Treasury Department office at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/03/26/81957/

Youth led mass protests are significantly challenging state legitimacy in Bangladesh, Nigeria, Venezuela and Kenya. Driven by deep economic distress, hopelessness and impunity, these nations lurch between constitutionalism, authoritarianism and anarchy with consequences for billions of people. What new human rights narratives and forms of organizing are emerging from these Gen Z social movements, human rights organisations and governments? Join Amnesty International Kenya’s Executive Director Irũngũ Houghton in exploring how current events are reshaping the right to expression, assembly and association globally.

Irũngũ Houghton has advised and held national governments, international and continental multi-lateral processes publicly accountable for the last thirty years. He currently serves as Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director. As Amnesty’s spokesperson and chief strategist in Kenya, he leads a team of committed investigative researchers and campaigners working to end human rights abuses and realise the Constitution of Kenya.

His work with Amnesty International Kenya led him to be cited among Kenya’s top 100 leaders in 2024. Amnesty International Kenya was also nominated in 2024 for the Best Governance and Human Rights NGO Category by the Public Benefits Regulatory Authority, Government of Kenya. In 2021, Amnesty Kenya was among the top ten most successful fundraising offices/sections in the Amnesty movement.

Irũngũ has previously worked with most of biggest NGOs in the world including Actionaid, Oxfam, Care, GreenPeace, London School of Economics and WWF among others. He was also the founding Chairperson of the Kilimani Project Foundation, a community foundation committed to creating livability and workability in the local community in which he lives (2012-2020). His public interest campaigns with others have received awards and citations from the African Union, New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Nation Media Group, New African, Architectural Association of Kenya and Sabre Africa Awards over the last decade.

Widely known as an inspirational speaker, change facilitator and skillful moderator, Irũngũ has published a weekly newspaper column for the last seven years and is an analyst of choice on Kenya for the national and international media. He is also the author of the recently published “Dialogue and Dissent: A Constitution in Search of a Country” available on either Amazon. He is married, father to seven adult children and grandfather to four alphas. Irũngũ holds two degrees from the University of Dar es Salaam (MA) and the School of Oriental and African Studies, London (BA). More X @irunguhoughton

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/03/26/80714/

Join this program to learn strategies and tips for succeeding in your summer public service position. This program will include information concerning ethical considerations for summer interns and a panel of public service employers to provide insight on how to stand out as an intern in your summer public service position. Pizza will be served.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/03/27/80951/

Please join the Catholic Law Student Society in praying the Rosary. All are welcome!

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/03/27/80751/

TMLS is hosting our inaugural Breaking Bread with Black Men on Thursday, March 27th at 6:30 PM at Texas Law. The event will be opportunity for men to come together and honor the milestones and achievements of Black men in the legal profession. The event is generously sponsored by Pillsbury.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/03/27/81563/

Join us for TJCLCR's 2025 symposium on Indigenous rights! Hear from prominent Indigenous scholars, activists, and organizers from across the country on topics like Federal Indian Law & tribal sovereignty, environmental justice, reproductive & 2SLGBTQ+ rights for Indigenous folks, indigeneity globally, and more. Registration (bit.ly/TJCLCR25) is free and includes lunch, but space is limited. Free screening of Oscar-nominated documentary SUGARCANE, with a special introduction by the Director, to follow. All are welcome!

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/03/28/80395/

The Strauss Center is pleased to present a panel on “Drones Over America! Defending the U.S. Homeland from Aerial Threats,” on Tuesday, April 1, with Monique Allen of the Texas Army National Guard, Jason Day of Unmanned Aircraft at the Texas Department of Public Safety, and Brendan Groves of SkyDio. Drones are seemingly everywhere: above military bases, seaports, airports, and even suburban backyards. Who’s sending them? And do government agencies have the authority and tools to take them down? Strauss Center Director Adam Klein will moderate this panel.

For more questions, please contact Ali Prince at ali.prince@austin.utexas.edu.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/04/01/82015/

Please join the Catholic Law Student Society in praying the Rosary. All are welcome!

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/04/03/80752/

Over the past two decades, the energy sector has been shaped by transformative legal decisions and practices that have redefined how industries, governments, and communities address energy production, distribution, and consumption. In honor of Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, & Energy Law’s 20th anniversary, this panel of TJOGEL founders and leading alumni delves into the most significant trends, developments, and case law that have defined energy over the last twenty years, analyzing their far-reaching impacts on the industry and its stakeholders. The panel will also explore how these legal developments and technological innovations have affected investment strategies, operational practices, and the broader energy transition. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the jurisprudence that underpins today’s energy landscape and insight into emerging trends and challenges that could define the next era of energy law.

Speakers include:

Becky Diffen, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP; Austin T. Lee, Partner, Bracewell LLP; Cynthia Martinez, SVP, General Counsel, energyRe; Brandon Seale (Moderator), Former President, West Texas Gas Utility; and Chad M. Smith, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Presented by TJOGEL and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center as part of UT Energy Week, which is a great chance for students to connect with potential employers, explore career opportunities, and learn more about the industry.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/04/03/81958/

AAEC Spring 2025 Meeting

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/04/04/81544/

The Center for Women in Law will hold their biennial Award Luncheon. Location: Hyatt Regency.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/04/04/80477/

The Jewish Legal Society (JLS) is hosting our annual spring Shabbat dinner on Friday, April 4, from 6:30-10pm. JLS will be celebrating Shabbat with ritual blessings, conversation, and a delicious multi-course meal catered by UT Hillel. JLS members, alumni, faculty, and staff will enjoy the evening together.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/04/04/81540/

The Review of Litigation is excited to announce its annual banquet for 2025. This year, our banquet will honor Mr. Harry Reasoner. We are excited to celebrate his accomplished career in the world of litigation.

Please purchase tickets via Eventbrite: https://trolbanquet25.eventbrite.com. Volume 44 Editors will recieve a purchase code to secure their tickets.

Full event information: https://law.utexas.edu/calendar/2025/04/04/82036/