University of Texas Law logo Update your account
  • Sign in or Join Account and Briefcase
    Not a member yet? Sign up Forgot password?
  • Accredited CLE
    Live Conferences Studio Webcasts eConferences eCourses ┣ Hooked on CLE eCourses ┣ Answer Bar eCourses ┗ First Friday Ethics eCourses
  • Research & Self-Study
    Materials eLibrary
  • Subscriptions
    MCLE On-Demand and eLibrary
  • Browse by Practice Area
    Administrative Admiralty and Maritime Alternative Dispute Resolution Appellate - Civil and Criminal Bankruptcy Business Entities Civil Rights Construction Corporate Counsel Criminal Cybersecurity Elder Law and Guardianship Employment Entertainment and Sports Law Environmental Essentials Ethics Exempt Organizations / Nonprofits Family Government Enforcement / White Collar Crime Healthcare Immigration Insurance Intellectual Property / Patent Law International Law Practice Management Litigation M&A and Securities Oil, Gas and Energy Practice Skills Real Estate Renewable Energy School Self-Care Taxation Technology Technology for Lawyers Trusts and Estates / Probate Water
What are you searching for?
Skip to main content
UT Law CLE logo
  • Overview /
  • Schedule /
  • Faculty /
  • Key Dates /
  • Venue /
  • Sponsors
Register or Buy ticket icon Register
Conference art
50th Annual

Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law

Austin Oct 29-30, 2026 Austin Marriott South $645 Individual  |  $745 after Oct 15 $580 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum)  |  $670 after Oct 15 $515 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum)  |  $600 after Oct 15
Live Webcast Oct 29-30, 2026 $745 Individual $670 Group rate per person (5 registrants minimum) $600 Group rate per person (10 registrants minimum) $100 Add-on rate for in-person registrants
Register
Related products: Materials
CONFERENCE SPONSORS
Gateway Medical logo

If you would like to become a sponsor please contact April Rogers, at arogers@law.utexas.edu for more information.

Overview

For 50 years, this premier conference has brought together practitioners at every stage of their careers to learn from nationally recognized immigration law experts, exchange ideas, and navigate an ever‑changing legal and political landscape. This anniversary year is both a celebration of our legacy and a look ahead to the future of immigration practice.

The two-day program delivers:

  • In‑depth discussions on today’s most pressing immigration issues
  • Practical tools, strategies, and guidance for key decision points
  • Insights designed to strengthen advocacy while protecting you and your practice
Join us as we honor 50 years of impact and gain fresh perspectives to help you continue delivering outstanding representation to your clients.

  • Register now

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

  • Day 1 October 29, 2026
  • Day 2 October 30, 2026
  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker

  • Thursday Morning, Oct. 29, 2026

  • 7:30 am
    Austin Only
    Registration Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:20 am
    Welcoming Remarks

  • 8:30 am
    1.00 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Shockwaves & Shifts: The Immigration Developments Reshaping Practice
    From sweeping policy changes and travel restrictions to adjudication pauses, enforcement initiatives, and challenges facing the legal profession, immigration practitioners are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape. This panel of national and local leaders will examine the latest developments from Washington, analyze their impact on clients and practice management, and provide practical guidance for staying ahead of the next wave of change.

    Benjamin Johnson, American Immigration Lawyers Association - Washington, DC
    Michelle L. Saenz-Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX
    Jacqueline L. Watson, Posada & Watson, PLLC - Austin, TX

    Benjamin Johnson, American Immigration Lawyers Association - Washington, DC
    Michelle L. Saenz-Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX
    Jacqueline L. Watson, Posada & Watson, PLLC - Austin, TX

  • 9:30 am
    0.75 hr
    State Executive Orders on Immigration

    Kristin Etter, Texas Immigration Law Council - Austin, TX

    Kristin Etter, Texas Immigration Law Council - Austin, TX

  • 10:15 am
    15-Minute Break

  • 10:30 am
    1.00 hr
    21 Point Mass Deportation Coalition Playbook of March 30, 2026: Today and Tomorrow
    Discuss administration advances from “Worst-of-the-Worst to Phase II: Mass Deportations” and “Worksite enforcement is the most critical missing enforcement policy” including I-9 audits, IER’s protecting U.S. worker initiative, and erosion of legal immigration system facilitate the Playbook. 

    Richard A. Gump Jr., Truett, Gump & Gavin Law Group - Dallas, TX
    George Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX

    Richard A. Gump Jr., Truett, Gump & Gavin Law Group - Dallas, TX
    George Rodriguez, Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C. - Dallas, TX

  • 11:30 am
    0.50 hr ethics
    Ethics of AI in Immigration Practice
    Examine the ethical duties immigration lawyers must consider when using generative AI in client representation, including competence, confidentiality, supervision, candor, bias, and the avoidance of overreliance on AI-generated work. Offer practical guidance for safely integrating AI into immigration practice while complying with applicable rules of professional conduct.

    Gregory Siskind, Siskind Susser, PC/Visalaw.ai - Memphis, TN

    Gregory Siskind, Siskind Susser, PC/Visalaw.ai - Memphis, TN

  • 12:00 pm
    Austin Only
    Pick up Lunch (in Austin)
    Included in registration.

  • Thursday Afternoon, Oct. 29, 2026

  • LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
  • 12:20 pm
    0.75 hr
    50th Conference Anniversary Celebration: Retrospective Review of the Origins, Speakers & Topics

    Moderator:
    Paul Parsons, Paul Parsons, PC - Austin, TX
    Panelists:
    Charles C. Foster, Foster LLP - Houston, TX
    Jorge A. Gutierrez, Attorney at Law - Austin, TX
    Barbara Hines, (Retired) Immigration Clinic, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

    Moderator:
    Paul Parsons, Paul Parsons, PC - Austin, TX
    Panelists:
    Charles C. Foster, Foster LLP - Houston, TX
    Jorge A. Gutierrez, Attorney at Law - Austin, TX
    Barbara Hines, (Retired) Immigration Clinic, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

  • 1:05 pm
    15-Minute Break

  • 1:20 pm
    1.00 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Analysis Paralysis: Bans, Pauses, Travel, Work Authorization, Status, and Shifting Adjudication Policies
    Advising clients on even basic issues involving travel, visa issuance, work authorization, lawful presence, authorized stay, grace periods, and adjudication standards has become increasingly difficult amid rapidly changing policies, presidential proclamations, executive orders, and agency memoranda. Attorneys must balance legal analysis with practical counseling strategies, including managing expectations in an ever-changing policy environment. This panel will provide an overview of these issues and offer practical survival tips for advising clients and navigating uncertainty.

    Kathleen Campbell Walker, Dickinson Wright PLLC - El Paso, TX
    Nicolas Chavez, Chavez & Valko, LLP - Fort Worth, TX
    Avalyn C. Langemeier, Foster LLP - Houston, TX

    Kathleen Campbell Walker, Dickinson Wright PLLC - El Paso, TX
    Nicolas Chavez, Chavez & Valko, LLP - Fort Worth, TX
    Avalyn C. Langemeier, Foster LLP - Houston, TX

  • 2:20 pm
    0.75 hr
    Habeas in Texas I: The Beginning
    Discuss the nuts and bolts of filing habeas petitions for those who want to get in the game but aren’t sure where to start.

    Jonathan Levy, American Gateways - Austin, TX
    Javier N. Maldonado, Law Office of Javier N. Maldonado, PC - San Antonio, TX

    Jonathan Levy, American Gateways - Austin, TX
    Javier N. Maldonado, Law Office of Javier N. Maldonado, PC - San Antonio, TX

  • 3:05 pm
    10-Minute Break

  • 3:15 pm
    0.75 hr
    Habeas in Texas II: The Legal Landscape

    Michelle L. Edstrom, Attorney at Law - Oklahoma City, OK

    Michelle L. Edstrom, Attorney at Law - Oklahoma City, OK

  • 4:00 pm
    0.75 hr ethics
    Ethics of Complex Cases

  • 4:45 pm
    0.75 hr ethics
    The Science of Worker Wellness
    Mental health scholars and practitioners Dr. Josie Serrata and Dr. Laurie Cook Heffron will explore the science behind worker wellness, the impact of today’s increasingly complex environment, as well as individual and collective strategies for protecting immigration attorneys’ wellness.

    Laurie Cook Heffron, PhD, LMSW, St. Edward's University - Austin, TX
    Josephine Serrata, PhD, Prickly Pear Therapy and Training - Austin, TX

    Laurie Cook Heffron, PhD, LMSW, St. Edward's University - Austin, TX
    Josephine Serrata, PhD, Prickly Pear Therapy and Training - Austin, TX

  • 5:30 pm
    Adjourn


  • Austin Only
    NETWORKING RECEPTION (5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
    Enjoy refreshments and a networking opportunity with colleagues, conference faculty, and planning committee members.

  • Time
    Credit
    Subject
    Speaker

  • Friday Morning, Oct. 30, 2026

  • 8:00 am
    Conference Room Opens
    Includes continental breakfast.

  • 8:30 am
    1.00 hr
    Case Law Update
    Precedential case law updates spanning 2025 to 2026, with a focus on decisions positive for noncitizens where possible! Supreme Court updates, as well as interesting precedent from the Fifth Circuit, other Circuits, and BIA. Topics will include asylum, crimmigration, and more!

    Kevin A. Gregg, Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A. - San Diego, CA
    Jonathan Levy, American Gateways - Austin, TX

    Kevin A. Gregg, Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A. - San Diego, CA
    Jonathan Levy, American Gateways - Austin, TX

  • 9:30 am
    1.00 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    AOS interviews for Everyone!
    Adjustment of Status interviews under the current administration now face increased scrutiny of eligibility, employment history, prior arrests, and humanitarian-based applications, including VAWA, SIJ, and U visa cases. This panel will provide practical strategies for preparing clients, addressing Notices to Appear (NTAs), navigating ethical considerations, and effectively managing today’s heightened interview environment.

    Kelli Gavin, Truett, Gump & Gavin Law Group - Dallas, TX
    Melissa M. Lopez, Estrella del Paso - El Paso, TX
    Irene G. Mugambi, Law Office of Irene G. Mugambi P.C. - Dallas, TX

    Kelli Gavin, Truett, Gump & Gavin Law Group - Dallas, TX
    Melissa M. Lopez, Estrella del Paso - El Paso, TX
    Irene G. Mugambi, Law Office of Irene G. Mugambi P.C. - Dallas, TX

  • 10:30 am
    15-Minute Break

  • 10:45 am
    0.75 hr
    No Hate on H1Bs
    Explore the evolving H 1B landscape, including recent litigation developments surrounding the $100k fee, lessons learned from the new wage-based registration process and LCA intersection, best practices using the new form I 129, and current trends for specialty occupation RFEs.

    Stephanie Paver, Foster LLP - Austin, TX
    Lauren Randle, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP - Houston, TX

    Stephanie Paver, Foster LLP - Austin, TX
    Lauren Randle, Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP - Houston, TX

  • 11:30 am
    0.75 hr
    Humanitarian-Based Work Authorization Updates
    Provide an overview of the changes affecting EAD applications and EAD validity and offer best practices for how best to protect noncitizens' work authorization.

    Whitney Drake, American Gateways - Austin, TX
    Analí Looper, American Gateways - Waco, TX

    Whitney Drake, American Gateways - Austin, TX
    Analí Looper, American Gateways - Waco, TX

  • 12:15 pm
    Austin Only
    Pick up Lunch (in Austin)
    Included in registration.

  • Friday Afternoon, Oct. 30, 2026

  • LUNCHEON PRESENTATION
  • 12:35 pm
    0.75 hr ethics
    Law Practice Managements: Making Fee Agreements Work for All Immigration Law Practices 
    Discuss how to choose the right fee model for the case, the importance of putting it in writing, and ways to stay ethical and compliant.

    Dustin J. O'Quinn, Ballard Spahr LLP - Seattle, WA
    Hussein Sadruddin, Jaime Barron, P.C. - Dallas, TX

    Dustin J. O'Quinn, Ballard Spahr LLP - Seattle, WA
    Hussein Sadruddin, Jaime Barron, P.C. - Dallas, TX

  • 1:20 pm
    15-Minute Break

  • 1:35 pm
    0.75 hr
    Retaliatory Worksite Enforcement
    Discuss updates on current worksite enforcement activity and developments in the field, including current target locations, industries and employers. Provide an overview of ICE and HSI activity and strategies in a highly "targeted" state, Minnesota, and compare against activity in Texas, to provide best practices for preparing employer clients and their employees for inspections, home visits, and other interactions with ICE and FDNS officers.

    Maggie M. Murphy, Attorney at Law - Austin, TX
    Matthew Webster, Fredrikson - Minneapolis, MN

    Maggie M. Murphy, Attorney at Law - Austin, TX
    Matthew Webster, Fredrikson - Minneapolis, MN

  • 2:20 pm
    0.75 hr
    Are You or Aren’t You? Citizenship in the Present Era

    Edgar H. Holguin, Supervisory Assistant Federal Public Defender - El Paso, TX
    Kathrin S. Mautino, San Diego, CA

    Edgar H. Holguin, Supervisory Assistant Federal Public Defender - El Paso, TX
    Kathrin S. Mautino, San Diego, CA

  • 3:05 pm
    10-Minute Break

  • 3:15 pm
    1.00 hr
    Asylum and Pretermission in Court
    Winning fear-based relief on the merits in immigration court has always been challenging, but now many cases are not even decided on the merits. Discuss developing caselaw around the various forms of pretermission of asylum applications in immigration court, and strategies for overcoming threshold obstacles to asylum so that clients have a chance to present their substantive claim for relief.

    Denise L. Gilman, The University of Texas School of Law Immigration Clinic - Austin, TX
    Anna Roberson, Asylum Defense Project - San Antonio, TX

    Denise L. Gilman, The University of Texas School of Law Immigration Clinic - Austin, TX
    Anna Roberson, Asylum Defense Project - San Antonio, TX

  • 4:15 pm
    0.75 hr
    0.25 hr ethics
    Border Issues for Everyone!

    Melissa M. Lopez, Estrella del Paso - El Paso, TX

    Melissa M. Lopez, Estrella del Paso - El Paso, TX

  • 5:00 pm
    Adjourn

  • Day 1 October 29, 2026
  • Day 2 October 30, 2026
Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Kathleen Campbell Walker

Dickinson Wright PLLC
El Paso, TX

Nicolas Chavez

Chavez & Valko, LLP
Fort Worth, TX

Whitney Drake

American Gateways
Austin, TX

Michelle L. Edstrom

Attorney at Law
Oklahoma City, OK

Kristin Etter

Texas Immigration Law Council
Austin, TX

Charles C. Foster

Foster LLP
Houston, TX

Kelli Gavin

Truett, Gump & Gavin Law Group
Dallas, TX

Denise L. Gilman

The University of Texas School of Law Immigration Clinic
Austin, TX

Kevin A. Gregg

Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.
San Diego, CA

Richard A. Gump Jr.

Truett, Gump & Gavin Law Group
Dallas, TX

Jorge A. Gutierrez

Attorney at Law
Austin, TX

Laurie Cook Heffron, PhD, LMSW

St. Edward's University
Austin, TX

Barbara Hines

(Retired) Immigration Clinic, The University of Texas School of Law
Austin, TX

Edgar H. Holguin

Supervisory Assistant Federal Public Defender
El Paso, TX

Benjamin Johnson

American Immigration Lawyers Association
Washington, DC

Avalyn C. Langemeier

Foster LLP
Houston, TX

Jonathan Levy

American Gateways
Austin, TX

Analí Looper

American Gateways
Waco, TX

Melissa M. Lopez

Estrella del Paso
El Paso, TX

Javier N. Maldonado

Law Office of Javier N. Maldonado, PC
San Antonio, TX

Kathrin S. Mautino

San Diego, CA

Irene G. Mugambi

Law Office of Irene G. Mugambi P.C.
Dallas, TX

Maggie M. Murphy

Attorney at Law
Austin, TX

Dustin J. O'Quinn

Ballard Spahr LLP
Seattle, WA

Paul Parsons

Paul Parsons, PC
Austin, TX

Stephanie Paver

Foster LLP
Austin, TX

Lauren Randle

Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP
Houston, TX

Anna Roberson

Asylum Defense Project
San Antonio, TX

George Rodriguez

Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Hussein Sadruddin

Jaime Barron, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Michelle L. Saenz-Rodriguez

Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Josephine Serrata, PhD

Prickly Pear Therapy and Training
Austin, TX

Gregory Siskind

Siskind Susser, PC/Visalaw.ai
Memphis, TN

Jacqueline L. Watson

Posada & Watson, PLLC
Austin, TX

Matthew Webster

Fredrikson
Minneapolis, MN

Planning Committee

Michelle L. Saenz-Rodriguez—Co-Chair

Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Jacqueline L. Watson—Co-Chair

Posada & Watson, PLLC
Austin, TX

Simon M. Azar-Farr

Simon Azar-Farr & Associates
San Antonio, TX

Kathleen Campbell Walker

Dickinson Wright PLLC
El Paso, TX

Nicolas Chavez

Chavez & Valko, LLP
Fort Worth, TX

Amelia Ruiz Fischer

Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law
Nacogdoches, TX

Richard S. Fischer

Fischer & Fischer, Attorneys at Law
Nacogdoches, TX

Jodi M. Goodwin

Law Office of Jodi Goodwin
Harlingen, TX

Richard A. Gump Jr.

Truett, Gump & Gavin Law Group
Dallas, TX

Mona Gupta

Gupta & Wiora, P.C.
Addison, TX

Irene G. Mugambi

Law Office of Irene G. Mugambi P.C.
Dallas, TX

Maggie M. Murphy

Attorney at Law
Austin, TX

Paul Parsons

Paul Parsons, PC
Austin, TX

George Rodriguez

Saenz-Rodriguez & Associates, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Erica B. Schommer

St. Mary's University School of Law
San Antonio, TX

Peter D. Williamson

Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Houston, TX

Edna Yang

American Gateways
Austin, TX

Key Dates

Austin – Oct 29-30, 2026 – Austin Marriott South
Live Webcast – Oct 29-30, 2026
Register now
  • Austin
  • Live Webcast
Individual
Last day for $645.00 Regular pricing: Oct 15, 2026
$745.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (5 registrants minimum)
Last day for $580.00 Regular pricing: Oct 15, 2026
$670.00 for registrations received after this time

Group (10 registrants minimum)
Last day for $515.00 Regular pricing: Oct 15, 2026
$600.00 for registrations received after this time


Cancellation Policy
Last day for full refund cancellation: Oct 23, 2026
$50 processing fee applied after this date
Last day for cancellation: Oct 26, 2026
Individual
$745.00

Group (5 registrants minimum)
$670.00

Group (10 registrants minimum)
$600.00

Add-on (in-person registration required)
$100.00


Cancellation Policy
Last day for full refund cancellation: Oct 23, 2026
$50 processing fee applied after this date
Last day for cancellation: Oct 26, 2026

Venue

Austin Marriott South exterior view

Austin Marriott South

4415 S Interstate 35
Austin, TX 78744-1802
512-441-7900
Map

Accommodations

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a special rate of $184 per night. Discounted rate is available until October 8, or until the room block is exhausted, whichever comes first. Book your room online.

Parking Information

Complimentary Garage and ground level parking.

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors! Click each logo below to learn more.

  • Gateway Medical

    Gateway Medical logo
    Gateway Medical
    gatewayimmigration.com

    Gateway Medical is dedicated to making the immigration medical exam process quick, affordable, and convenient. The organization opened its first clinic in 2019 has since expanded to multiple satellite locations across South Florida which have cumulatively conducted over 10,000 examinations. In response to increased immigration enforcement activity, Gateway Medical has extended its impact by offering its services at detention centers across the United States.

Download Sponsor Details Become a Sponsor
Become a Sponsor
Email sponsorships@utcle.org for more information on sponsoring an event.

Stay in the loop with UT Law CLE

Sign-Up Now  
Accredited CLE
Live Conferences
Studio Webcasts
eConferences
eCourses
┣ Hooked on CLE
┣ Answer Bar
┗ First Friday Ethics
Research & Self-Study
Materials
eLibrary

Subscriptions
MCLE On-Demand and eLibrary
Your UT Law CLE
Your Briefcase
Your Account
Your Cart
Redeem Your Code
Sign In or Join
About
Scholarships
Sponsorships
Speakers
Texas Law Resources
UT Law CLE
About Us
Our Volunteers
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Security
Accessibility
Help & Contact
FAQ
Contact Us
     

© 2026 The University of Texas School of Law Continuing Legal Education | 512.475.6700 | Version 9.066

More Information
Warning
Error
Warning
Please sign in to continue
Forgot Password   |  Create Account
Item has been added to your cart.

Item description

Checkout
Item has been added to your Briefcase.

Item description

Go to your Briefcase