Day One: Plenary Sessions and Keynote Address

Day one kicks off the summit with plenary sessions that highlight the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the importance of protecting the ideals and rights captured so long ago. The keynote address will be given by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, co-author of Our Unfinished March. Holder explores how the right to vote—central to the democratic vision of the Declaration—has been expanded, threatened, and defended across U.S. history, and why protecting it is essential to honoring America’s founding ideals.

7 -8 a.m. Breakfast (on site)

8 – 8:30 a.m. – Welcome and opening remarks

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Keynote: The 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
Eric H. Holder Jr., Former United States Attorney General
Former U.S. Attorney General and co-author of Our Unfinished March, brings a deeply informed, justice-oriented perspective to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Holder explores how the right to vote—central to the democratic vision of the Declaration—has been expanded, threatened, and defended across U.S. history, and why protecting it is essential to honoring America’s founding ideals.

9:30 – 9:45 a.m. Break

9:45-10:45 a.m. The Foundation of Judicial Independence: Continuing the Conversation
Debra Stephens, Chief Justice, Washington Supreme Court
Summit participants will have the opportunity to discuss how the Declaration of Independence set the foundation for judicial independence and how its grievances with King George led to the Constitution and continue to affect judges and their independence today.     

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Tribal Justice and State Courts   
Debra Stephens, Chief Justice, Washington Supreme Court
Diane Humetewa, U.S. District Court Judge, District Court of Arizona
Nadine Padilla, Judge, Isleta Pueblo Tribal Court, New Mexico
In the last 20 years, tribal courts and state courts have expanded collaboration on issues of common concern. Federal law expanded tribal court jurisdiction on issues that affect state and federal courts. Tribal court collaboration with state courts and agencies have extended the reach of justice on tribal lands and in neighboring communities.. This panel will explore the future of tribal-federal-state court collaboration.   

11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch (on site)

1-2:30 p.m. The Judiciary in 2026 – A World Cafe Session  
Daniel B. Shanes, Chief Judge, Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court, Lake County, Illinois
Donna J. Mowrer, Chief Judge, Ninth Judicial District Court Judge, Roosevelt County, NM
The judiciary now – a world cafe session to facilitate an open discussion among judges. What is working, what is not, and where do we go from here?

2:30 – 2:45 p.m. Break

2:45 – 4:45 The Ethics of Spirituality and Leadership
Richard Phillips, Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative

Evening on your own.
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Tour. Limited spaces. Extra fee.