Panel One: Tariff Regimes in Transition. 

Fitts Auditorium

• The Honorable Nazak Nikakhtar: Partner, Wiley Rein LLP; Former Assistant Secretary for Industry & Analysis, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce;

• Professor Jeffrey Dunoff: Temple University Beasley School of Law;

• Professor Robert Howse: NYU School of Law;

• Professor Sonia Rolland: Northeastern University School of Law.

Lunch: Levy Conference Center

Panel Two: International Investment and Economic Governance.

Fitts Auditorium

• Martin Dietrich Brauch: Lead Researcher, Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment;

• Viva Dadwal: Associate, King & Spalding LLP;

• Kiran Nasir Gore: Founder, Law Offices of Kiran N Gore PLLC;

• Professor David Zaring: The Wharton School.

Panel Three: Labor Migration and Workers’ Rights. 

Fitts Auditorium

• Professor Kate Evans: Duke University School of Law;

• Judy Gearhart: School of International Service, American University;

• Professor Jennifer Gordon: Fordham University School of Law;

• Aaron Halegua: Founder, Aaron Halegua PLLC;

• Anu Peshawaria: Attorney; Legal Advisor for Consulate General of India, New York;

• Emma Tuohy: Partner, Simon, Choi & Tuohy;

• Professor Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia: Pennsylvania State University Dickinson Law.

Closing Remark: Fitts Auditorium

Cocktail Reception: The “Goat” (Silverman Hall)

Note: Speaker list may not reflect attendance on the day of the conference.

This program has been approved for a total of 4.5 Substantive CLE credits for Pennsylvania lawyers. CLE credit may be available in other jurisdictions as well. Attendees seeking CLE credit must register for CLE credit via the online CLE registration link and make a payment via cash or check made payable to “The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania” on the day of the event in the amount of $180.00 ($90.00 public interest/non-profit attorneys). In order to receive the appropriate amount of credit, evaluation forms must be completed.

Penn Carey Law Alumni receive CLE credits free through The W.P. Carey Foundation’s generous commitment to Lifelong Learning.

APALSA is the largest student-run organization at Penn Carey Law.  As an academic, cultural, and social group, APALSA invests in the professional and personal development of its members. We also hope to make strong contributions to Penn Carey Law, APA, and larger legal communities.  As a group, APALSA strives to shape the Asian American experience in the legal field by preparing its members for well-rounded and successful legal careers.
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Our annual conference, which will take place in January 2026, is the cornerstone of our efforts to develop a vibrant and diverse community at Penn.  Each year, we attract over 200 students from top law schools across the country, including Penn, Columbia, Yale, NYU, Virginia, Georgetown, Michigan, Duke, Cornell, and more.  Additionally, our conference attracts numerous distinguished speakers and leading legal practitioners who serve as keynote speakers and panelists.  A cocktail reception will follow with dedicated spaces for sponsoring law firms to connect with student attendees.

We are especially honored that this year’s conference has been renamed in memory of Sarah Best L’21, whose leadership, warmth, and commitment to building community continue to inspire APALSA and the Penn Carey Law community.

Due to the generous support of the law school and the legal community, the conference is FREE for all attendees.

Please feel free to reach out to us at president@pennapalsa.org with any questions you may have. We will continue to update this page as we finalize the event details.