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2019 Annual Sylvania Woods Conference

The Sylvania Woods Conference on African Americans and the Law addresses—through the participation of practicing lawyers, jurists, alumni, faculty, students, and administrators—matters of law and associated issues that affect African-American life and culture.  Therefore, discussion topics have included the legal education process, law and the political process, and various aspects of African-American life in the legal workplace.   

Conference attendees include, but are not limited to:  

  • Students who have an interest in learning more of their legal and cultural history and in networking with knowledgeable practitioners, alumni, and jurists;

  • Alumni and Practitioners who want to renew acquaintances and potentially make an impact in the professional life of continuing student.

Sponsor

The Sylvania Woods Conference is set forth in partnership with the Washington College of Law Black Alumni Association.

Our History

The Sylvania Woods Conference on African Americans and the Law—initially known as the African Americans and the Law Conference began as a component program of the Washington College of Law Centennial Celebration in April 1997. The Honorable Sylvania Webb Woods of Prince Georges County, Maryland, was a member of a panel of judges who spoke about their paths to the judiciary during the first conference. Following Judge Woods death, the conference became an element of the now-annual Founders’ Celebration, and the decision was made to honor his memory by naming it the Sylvania Woods Conference on African Americans and the Law.