Past Conferences

ASLH Annual Meetings

Since 1971, ASLH has held an Annual Meeting to bring members together for talks, dialogue, and presentation of awards. As an international society, ASLH likes to rotate the location of Annual Meeting sites around North America, and has held these conferences in cities all over the United States as well as Canada. Meetings typically are scheduled between the middle of October and the middle of November, when hotel availability and rates tend to be optimal for the Society.

View Future Conferences

2023 Annual Meeting

Philadelphia, PA

October 26–28, 2023

Welcome to Philadelphia, Legal Historians! (“The Place That Loves You Back”) Few U.S. cities wear their national history with greater pride than Philadelphia. From Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell; to grand remnants of the Centennial Exhibition along the Ben Franklin Parkway and Logan Circle; to William Penn’s aspirationally peacemaking image atop City Hall; to the 76ers NBA team.

2022 Annual Meeting

Chicago, Illinois

November 10–12, 2022
Welcome to Chicago, Legal Historians! In 2022, the annual conference returns to Chicago for the first time since 2001, and pre-registration is now open. We’ll convene November 10-12 at the Chicago Grand Sheraton, and look forward to sharing more details about the meeting as they become available. Learn More
2021 Annual Meeting

New Orleans, Louisiana

November 4–6, 2021
In 2021, the ASLH Meeting is headed to New Orleans! The conference will be held at the InterContinental Hotel, just steps away from the historic French Quarter and the riverfront. We look forward to seeing you all there!
2020 Annual Meeting

Virtual Mini-Conference

November 13–14, 2020
The ASLH program committee has organized an exciting short program of online panels to be held on November 13-14, 2020. You can find the schedule below. Registration is free for all ASLH members, and you must be a member to attend. Learn More
2019 Annual Meeting

Boston, Massachusetts

November 21–24, 2019
Greetings Legal Historians! Welcome to Boston! Famously nicknamed “the hub of the solar system” by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Boston has served over the centuries as a center of legal events and controversies that have shaped American legal history. The 1741 Writs of Assistance case and 2003’s Goodridge v. Learn More
2018 Annual Meeting

Houston, Texas

November 8–11, 2018
In 2018, the ASLH returned for the first time since 1995 to Houston, the most ethnically diverse metropolitan area in the United States. The meeting, which was held at the Hilton-Américas from November 8, 2018 to November 11, 2018, showcased a population center expected to become the nation’s third-largest city by 2025 and advanced ASLH’s further internationalization by providing a first-class opening for the discussion of legal history scholarship concerning Mexico and Latin America generally. Learn More
2017 Annual Meeting

Las Vegas, Nevada

October 26–29, 2017
For the first time in its history, the Society convened in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2017 meeting was held from October 26, 2017 to October 29, 2017 at the Red Rock Casino Resort Spa. The meeting was sponsored by the William S. Learn More
2016 Annual Meeting

Toronto, Canada

October 27–30, 2016
The 2016 annual meeting took place in Toronto, Canada from October 27, 2016 to October 30, 2016 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, directly across the street from Union Station. The meeting was sponsored by the Osgoode Society, the Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto, and the Law Society of Upper Canada. Learn More
2015 Annual Meeting

Washington, D.C.

October 29–November 1, 2015
The ASLH returned to Washington, DC for its 2015 annual meeting, which was held at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill from October 29, 2015 to November 1, 2015. The meeting was sponsored by the George Washington University School of Law. Learn More
2014 Annual Meeting

Denver, Colorado

November 6–9, 2014
For the first time in its history, the Society convened for its annual meeting in Denver. The meeting was held from November 6, 2014 to November 9, 2014 at the Four Seasons Denver. The meeting was sponsored by the Colorado Supreme Court, the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and the Historical Society of the Tenth Judicial Circuit. Learn More
2013 Annual Meeting

Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Florida

November 7–10, 2013
The ASLH met in Miami for the very first time from November 7, 2013 to November 10, 2013 at the Hyatt Regency Miami. The meeting was sponsored by Nova Southeastern University. The Plenary Lecture was delivered by Rebecca J. Scott of the University of Michigan and University of Michigan Law School. Learn More
2012 Annual Meeting

St. Louis, Missouri

November 8–11, 2012
The 2012 annual meeting convened in St. Louis, Missouri from November 8, 2012 to November 11, 2012 at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis. The meeting was sponsored by the Washington University School of Law and the Historical Society of the United States Courts in the Eighth Circuit. Learn More
2011 Annual Meeting

Atlanta, Georgia

November 10–13, 2011
In 2011, ASLH traveled to Atlanta for its annual meeting, which was held at the Loews Atlanta Hotel from November 10, 2011 to November 13, 2011. The meeting was sponsored by the Georgia State University College of Law and and the Georgia Legal History Foundation. Learn More
2010 Annual Meeting

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

November 17–21, 2010
In 2010 meeting convened in Philadelphia for its annual meeting, which was held at the Doubletree Inn from November 17, 2010 to November 21, 2010. The meeting was sponsored by the Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University. The Plenary Lecture was delivered by Hendrik Hartog of Princeton University. Learn More
2009 Annual Meeting

Dallas, Texas

November 12–14, 2009
In 2009, ASLH travelled to Dallas for its annual meeting, which was held November 12, 2009 to November 14, 2009 at the Fairmont Dallas. The meeting was sponsored by the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. The Plenary Lecture was delivered by Joyce Oldham Appleby, emeritus, of the University of California, Los Angeles. Learn More
2008 Annual Meeting

Ottawa, Canada

November 13–15, 2008
The 2008 annual meeting convened in Ottawa, Canada from November 13, 2008 to November 15, 2008 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. The meeting was sponsored by the University of Ottawa, the Osgoode Society, and Carlton University. The Plenary Lecture was delivered by Honourable Madam Justice Rosalie Silberman Abella, the Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Learn More
2007 Annual Meeting

Tempe, Arizona

October 25–28, 2007
For the first time in its history, the Society convened for its annual meeting in Tempe. The meeting was held from October 25, 2007 to October 28, 2007 at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel. The meeting was sponsored by the University of Arizona School of Law. Learn More
2006 Annual Meeting

Baltimore, Maryland

November 16–19, 2006
In 2006, ASLH returned to Baltimore for the first time since 1983. The annual conference was held from November 16, 2006 to November 19, 2006 at the Baltimore-Radisson Hotel. The meeting was sponsored by the the University of Maryland Law School, the University of Baltimore Law School, and Johns Hopkins University. Learn More
2005 Annual Meeting

Cincinnati, Ohio

November 10–12, 2005
For the first time in its history, the Society convened in Cincinnati. The 2005 meeting was held from November 10, 2005 to November 12, 2005 at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. The meeting was sponsored by the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Learn More
2004 Annual Meeting

Austin, Texas

October 28–31, 2004
The 2004 annual meeting took place in Austin, from October 29, 2004 to October 30, 2004 at the Stephen F. Austin Intercontinental Hotel and the Driskill Hotel. The meeting was sponsored by the University of Texas Law School. Learn More
2003 Annual Meeting

Washington, DC

November 13–16, 2003
The ASLH returned to Washington, DC for its 2003 annual meeting, which was held at the Capital Hilton from October 29, 2015 to November 1, 2015. The Plenary Session included  Edward L. Ayers of the University of Virginia,  John W. Dower of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and  Charles S. Learn More
2002 Annual Meeting

San Diego, California

November 7–9, 2002
For the first time in its history, the Society convened in San Diego. The 2002 meeting was held from November 7, 2002 to November 9, 2002 at the U.S. Grant Hotel. The Plenary Lecture was delivered by Charles Donahue, Jr. of Harvard University Law School. Learn More
2001 Annual Meeting

Chicago, Illinois

November 8–10, 2001
In 2001, ASLH returned to Chicago for its annual meeting, which was held from November 8, 2001 to November 10, 2001 at the Hotel Allegro. The meeting was sponsored by the American Bar Foundation, DePaul University Law School, John Marshall Law School, Northwestern University Law School, and the University of Chicago Law School. Learn More
2000 Annual Meeting

Princeton, New Jersey

October 19–21, 2000
For the first time in its history, the Society convened for its annual meeting in Princeton. The meeting was held from October 19, 2000 to October 21, 2000 at the Nassau Inn. The meeting was sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. Learn More
1999 Annual Meeting

Toronto, Ontario

October 21–23, 1999
The ASLH returned to Toronto for its 1999 annual meeting, which was held at the Sheraton Centre Hotel from October 21, 1999 to October 23, 1999. The meeting was sponsored by Law Society of Upper Canada, the Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, the Osgoode Society, and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Learn More
1998 Annual Meeting

Seattle, Washington

November 12–14, 1998
In 1998, ASLH travelled to Seattle for its annual meeting, which was held from October 22, 1998 to October 24, 1998 at the Hilton Seattle. The Plenary Lecture was delivered by Lawrence M. Friedman of Stanford University Law School. Learn More

Previous years' meetings

1997 Minneapolis

1996 Richmond

1995 Houston

1994 Washington

1993 Memphis

1992 New Haven

1991 San Francisco

1990 Chicago

1989 Atlanta

1988 Charleston

1987 Philadelphia

1986 Toronto

1985 New Orleans

1984 Newark, New Jersey

1979 Williamsburg, Virginia

1974 Washington, D.C.

1973 Chicago

1972 Williamsburg, Virginia

1971 Boston

Host an ASLH Conference

The American Society for Legal History’s Standing Committee on Annual Meetings invites proposals to host or sponsor (in full or in part) a future Annual Meeting. Interesting venues, affordable hotel rates, tax exemption for out-of-state non-profits and reasonable funding support for meeting events are highly favored in site selection.

Get Involved

The American Society for Legal History’s Committee on the Annual Meeting solicits volunteers from the Society’s friends to serve as Local Arrangements Chairs for the Society’s future Annual Meetings. If you accept the challenge, you will work with the larger committee — you will not be alone! If interested, click “Learn More” below to contact the committee’s chair via email.

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