As the boundaries of executive authority continue to be tested in the modern era, the University of Miami Law Review gathered a distinguished roster of judges, legal scholars, and practitioners for its 2026 Symposium, "The Constitutional Mosaic: The Balance of Federal Powers in Modern America."
The event took place on Friday, February 20, 2026, from 1:10 PM to 5:00 PM at the Donna E. Shalala Student Center on the University of Miami’s Coral Gables campus.
This year’s theme arrived at a critical juncture in American jurisprudence. The Symposium aimed to trace the evolution of the executive branch from its 18th-century origins to its current form.
High-Profile Keynote, Panels, and Judicial Insights
The afternoon featured an opening keynote by Professor Aditya Bamzai of the University of Virginia School of Law, an expert in administrative law and the Constitution. His address set the stage by exploring the "ebbs and flows" of presidential power and how these dynamics reshape the tripartite system of government.
The program was divided into three focused panels and a "Fireside Chat," featuring voices from across the legal spectrum:
- Constitutional Conflicts: Former Florida Supreme Court Justice Raoul G. Cantero moderated a panel of federal judges from the Southern District of Florida, including Judge Roy Altman, Judge Melissa Damian, and Judge Rodolfo Armando Ruiz II. They discussed the friction between executive authority and judicial review.
- Constitutional Tug-of-War: The Executive and Legislative Branch: Noted impeachment expert and CNN legal analyst Professor Michael Gerhardt (UNC Law) joined Professor Gregory Koger to debate the shifting power balance between the President and Congress, and the exchange was moderated by Miami Law Professor Elizabeth Iglesias.
- The Fourth Branch? Executive Control and the Administrative State: The final panel tackled the administrative state, featuring Miami Law Professor Charlton Copeland moderating Professor Kimberly Wehle (University of Baltimore) and Professor Noah Rosenblum (NYU Law), as they examined executive control over administrative agencies.
- Fireside Chat: Elizabeth Price Foley, partner at Holtzman Vogel and a frequent contributor to the Wall Street Journal, engaged in a deep dive into the evolution of executive power with Miami Law Professor Caroline Corbin as moderator.
Bridging History During Its 80th Celebration Year
The event drew a wide audience of legal professionals, students, and citizens interested in the structural integrity of the American government.
"By focusing on the Constitution and the balance of federal powers, we aim to foster discussions that examine the evolution of the executive branch from its constitutional origins to modern day," the Law Review stated.
Founded in 1946, in addition to the symposium, the Law Review is commemorating the publication of its 80th volume in March of this year with a centennial signature event celebration. Each volume of the Law Review is dedicated to publishing the articles from each year’s symposium. The articles from this year’s symposium will be published in spring 2027.
The University of Miami Law Review is a quarterly legal journal that prepares students for the practice of law and provides a forum for the expression of new legal ideas. It is the oldest and most prestigious legal publication at the University of Miami School of Law.
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