Call For Papers: Trusts & Estates Collaborative Research Network (CRN) of Law and Society Association

Trusts & Estates Collaborative Research Network
Law and Society Association Annual Meeting
Chicago, Illinois May 22-25, 2025

Call for Participation – Deadline September 29, 2024 

The Trusts & Estates Collaborative Research Network invites proposals for (i) individual papers to be organized into panels; (ii) fully-formed panel proposals; and (iii) proposals for other sessions such as Author Meets Reader, Salon, or Roundtable discussions that explore any aspect of the law, practice or effects of trusts, equity, and estates, broadly defined. We also seek volunteers to serve as Chairs and/or Discussants for paper panels. Successful proposals likely will bear in some way on succession (also referred to as inheritance) and/or wealth transfers (whether at death or during lifetime, outright or in trust). Subjects of inquiry may involve any aspect of government or social policy with respect to trusts, estates, inheritance, wealth transfer, equity or courts with jurisdiction over these issues. Our goal is to stimulate focused discussion of papers on which scholars are currently working and to discuss topics of current and common interest to those working in the field of Trusts & Estates, broadly defined, both in the United States and internationally.  We welcome participation from scholars of any level of seniority working in any discipline, language, or country. 

If you would like to present an individual paper as part of a Trusts and Estates CRN panel, submit an idea for a fully-formed panel, or propose an Author Meets Reader, Salon or Roundtable session, please  submit a 500-word abstract/description by Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EST by emailing Carla Spivack ([email protected]) and Allison Tait ([email protected]).

When emailing us a submission, please provide:

• A 500 word abstract or summary of your paper/formed panel proposal/alternate session proposal;
• The title of your individual paper/formed panel/alternate session
• Your name and institutional affiliation; and
• A list of your areas of interest and expertise within Trusts & Estates/Equity Law.
• Whether you are willing to serve as a discussant or chair for another CRN panel

Please note that for Author Meets Reader, Salon, or Roundtable sessions, organizers should provide a 500-word summary of the topic, the names of the proposed participants, and the contributions they expect the proposed participants to make.

Please note also that LSA rules limit you to participating only once, either as a paper panelist or as a roundtable participant. We will give preference to proposed Trusts and Estates CRN panelists/participants who agree also to serve as a discussant or discussant/chair for another Trusts and Estates CRN panel (those appearances do not “count” for purposes of the 1-appearance rule). Please indicate your willingness to do in your email. Chairs organize the logistics of the panel, as well as moderate at the conference. Chairs will develop a 100-250 word description of the panel for inclusion in the Law and Society program. Discussants will read at least one assigned paper and prepare a short commentary to offer feedback and serve as a basis for discussion among the panelist and audience members.

Those selected by the Trusts and Estates CRN for participation in a panel or program will be informed no later than October 5, 2024.  Each participant will then need to register through the Law and Society system no later than October 15, 2024 using the panel number we assign. 

If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact Carla Spivack or Allison Tait.

2025 LSA Trusts & Estates CRN Planning Co-Chairs
Carla Spivack, [email protected]
Allison Anna Tait, [email protected]