The Utah State Bar will host a landmark civic symposium at The Grand America Hotel to commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. The program, titled "America 250: Sharing Stories About America," features prominent constitutional scholars discussing the nation's founding principles.
Scheduled for May 21, the symposium serves as a legal community response to the America250 initiative, a multi-year national effort culminating in 2026. The Utah State Bar has partnered with several organizations for the event, including the Federal Bar Association of Utah, the Litigation Section, and Utah Lawyers for Good Policy.
The program will feature keynote presentations from Jeffrey Rosen, President of the National Constitution Center, and Jonathan Turley of George Washington University. Turley is a nationally recognized legal scholar and professor who has served as counsel in high-profile cases involving national security and military systems.
The Utah State Bar described the symposium as a statewide invitation to reflect on constitutional principles that have sustained the republic. The organization noted that in an era of fragmented discourse, the legal community has a responsibility to reinforce the Rule of Law as a framework for stability and equity.
The event is part of a broader movement leading up to July 4, 2026, when Utahns will join the rest of the nation in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. America250 Utah is also promoting educational resources, such as the Families Learning Civics Together Toolkit, to encourage civic engagement across the state.
