NAFUSA will hold its 2026 Annual Conference October 14-16, 2026, at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, Missouri, bringing together former U.S. Attorneys, sponsors and distinguished guests for three days of programming, networking, and fellowship. Registration is expected to begin the first week of August; watch your email for the announcement. A block of rooms has been reserved for attendees and will be available to book when registration opens and will close on September 21.

Golf will be available for conference attendees on Wednesday morning, October 14, starting at 7:30 a.m. at The Courses At Forest Park which is about two miles from The Ritz. There are 24 spots available so be sure to reserve your space when you register for the conference.

The conference will open with a reception on Wednesday,

October 14, starting at 6 p.m. at the historic Union Station Hotel in St. Louis. Buses will be available to take guests from the hotel to the reception site and return.

In keeping with tradition, NAFUSA members will gather by administration for dinner on their own Thursday evening.

Additional registration, hotel, and program details will be released as conference planning continues. Members and sponsors are encouraged to mark their calendars for October 14-16 and plan to join NAFUSA for an engaging annual gathering in St. Louis.

Sarah Isgur, an attorney, author, legal commentator, podcast host, and former
spokeswoman for the Department of Justice, is scheduled to speak at NAFUSA’s 2026
annual conference on Friday morning, October 16, 2026. The conference will be held at
the Ritz Carlton St. Louis, in Clayton, Missouri.

Isgur is widely known for her work discussing and writing about the intersection of law,
politics, and media. She hosts the legal podcast Advisory Opinions, serves as editor of
SCOTUSblog, and appears as a contributor and commentator on legal and political
developments. Since 2021 she has been an analyst for ABC News. She is also the
author of the NYT bestselling book, Last Branch Standing; A Potentially Surprising,
Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today’s Supreme Court, which has been described
as a “myth-busting glimpse into the inner workings of the Supreme Court.”

After earning a BA from Northwestern University in history and political science and
attending the London School of Economics, Isgur went on to Harvard Law School,
receiving her J.D. in 2008. She clerked for Judge Edith H. Jones of the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans. Earlier in her career, she worked across all
three branches of the federal government, including Director of the DOJ’s Office of
Public Affairs, and held senior roles in national political campaigns.

Conference attendees will be treated to a fascinating discussion of the current Supreme
Court showcasing Isgur’s insight into the judicial temperament of the justices. Her
podcasts reflect her extensive legal and political background in an entertaining
analytical, fast-paced and conversational speaking style. Her presentation promises to
be very interesting and thought-provoking.

At the NAFUSA conference in October, a panel featuring state attorneys general who
previously served as United States Attorneys will offer a cross-jurisdictional look at how
prosecutorial experience at the federal level can shape leadership in statewide office.
The discussion will include Drew Wrigley of North Dakota, Russell Coleman of the
Eastern District of Kentucky, and Peter Neronha of Rhode Island, and will be moderated
by current NAFUSA president and Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway.

The panel reflects a broad focus on the evolving role of prosecutors and public-law
leaders. The 2026 NAFUSA conference will be held in St. Louis, Missouri from October 14 to 16, bringing together former U.S. Attorneys for programming on federal practice,
Department of Justice policies, and current issues in law enforcement and public
service. Hanaway’s role as moderator underscores both her leadership within NAFUSA
and her own background as former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri and
managing partner at Husch Blackwell before becoming Missouri’s Attorney General.

What is especially notable about this panel is the shared career path of the participants.
Each panelist has moved from the federal prosecutor’s office to the top legal post in a
state, giving the discussion a practical perspective on how experience with federal
investigations, interagency coordination, and courtroom advocacy translates into the
responsibilities of an elected or appointed state attorney general. With NAFUSA
President Hanaway guiding the discussion in her home state, the conversation should
illustrate the close professional ties that continue through NAFUSA long after public
service in federal office ends. It reflects how former U.S. Attorneys continue to shape
public policy and legal strategy from influential state offices and the enduring
connections of the federal prosecutorial community.

NAFUSA 2026 Annual Conference attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a
memorable golf experience on Wednesday morning, October 14, 2026, prior to the
opening of the conference in St. Louis, Missouri this fall. NAFUSA has contracted with
The Courses at Forest Park for 24 slots in an 18-hole shotgun start tournament starting
at 7:30 a.m. on October 14 th. The Courses at Forest Park is a 27-hole golf facility
located in historic Forest Park just minutes from downtown St. Louis and 2.2 miles from the conference hotel – the Ritz Carlton. It is known for its scenic parkland setting and flexible course layouts and for providing an enjoyable experience for players of varying skill levels. Whether you are just looking to play a round, reconnect with colleagues, or make new connections in an informal setting, consider signing up for golf when conference registration opens later this summer.

Professor Andrea Katz, an Associate Professor of Law at the Washington University
School of Law in St. Louis, will present the annual Supreme Court review at NAFUSA’S
conference which will be held in St. Louis, Missouri on October 14-16. NAFUSA
conference attendees have come to expect a summary and analysis of recent Supreme
Court decisions presented by a highly qualified and interesting constitutional law expert,
and this year will be no different.

Professor Katz teaches and writes about constitutional law, with a particular focus on
presidential power, separation-of-powers theory, constitutionalism, and the development
of the modern administrative state. She received a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale
University and a J.D. from Yale University Law School. She also holds a B.A. in
Comparative Literature and a B.A. in Japanese from Yale. After law school, she clerked
at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France and later clerked for
Judge Michael A. Ponsor in the District of Massachusetts. In addition to being a visiting
researcher at universities in Rio de Janeiro, San Paulo and Tokyo, she was a Golieb
Fellow in Legal History at NYU Law School before joining the Washington University
faculty in fall 2020.

Her scholarship and public commentary have examined questions of executive authority
and constitutional history, making her a notable speaker for a conference focused on
legal and public policy issues. Her work has appeared in the Columbia Law Review, the
Texas Law Review, the Harvard Law Review Forum and the International Journal of
Constitutional Law. Professor Katz’s presentation at the NAFUSA conference will be on
Friday, October 16.

NAFUSA is set to kick off its annual conference with an elegant opening reception on
October 14, 2026. Conference attendees will be welcomed in style at the historic Union
Station Hotel in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, sponsored again by longtime NAFUSA
supporter Guidepost Solutions.

Union Station Hotel is renowned for its stunning architecture and rich history. The hotel’s
grand halls, original 19th-century details, and modern amenities are a unique blend of
classic charm and contemporary sophistication. NAFUSA members will get a taste of St.
Louis hospitality as they gather to reconnect, network, and celebrate the beginning of the
conference.

We are pleased to welcome Guidepost Solutions, a leader in compliance, investigations,
and security consulting, to again sponsor the conference’s opening reception. The
reception is more than just a social gathering. Thanks to Guidepost Solutions’ generous
support, attendees will enjoy a memorable evening featuring gourmet hors d’oeuvres,
signature cocktails, and an opportunity for NAFUSA members and guests to reconnect with
old friends and forge new connections.

Whether you’re a returning member or a first-time attendee, the evening promises a
welcoming atmosphere and a chance to engage with leaders in the legal community. Don’t
miss this exceptional start to the NAFUSA conference. Mark your calendar for October 8,
2026. Also consider becoming a sponsor for this year’s Conference. See the 2026 NAFUSA
Sponsor Brochure which is posted on the NAFUSA website.

NAFUSA’s 2026 Annual Conference will take place October 14-16, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. The prestigious Ritz Carlton hotel will serve as the venue for the event, bringing together former U.S. Attorneys, legal professionals, and distinguished guests from across the country.

The Ritz Carlton is located in the trendy arts and garden district of Clayton, MO and offers an elegant setting for NAFUSA’s annual gathering. Attendees can expect world-class accommodations, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, and exemplary service, all contributing to a memorable experience in one of America’s historic cities.

The conference will feature prominent speakers from the legal and public policy sectors, sharing insights on current issues facing the justice system and legal practitioners. Interactive panels will address current topics of interest to our members such as law enforcement challenges, compliance with Department of Justice regulations and the evolving role of U.S. Attorneys.

As with previous conferences, the 2026 conference will provide a unique platform for former U.S. Attorneys and professionals to reconnect, share experiences, and foster new collaborations. Attendees can participate in social events including receptions, dinners, and opportunities to experience St. Louis’s rich cultural and historical offerings.

More information about the conference offerings will be available on the NAFUSA website in the next few months and registration details and hotel accommodation information will be available on the NAFUSA website in mid-2026. NAFUSA members and 2026 conference sponsors are encouraged to mark their calendars and prepare for an engaging and impactful gathering. The 2026 Conference Sponsor Brochure is now available on the NAFUSA website.

The Opening Reception for NAFUSA’s 2025 Annual Conference on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 was a wonderful treat for conference attendees. The view of Washington, D.C. at night from the penthouse offices of King & Spalding, our gracious hosts for the evening, was breathtaking. We should also recognize John Richter, immediate past NAFUSA president and partner at King & Spalding, for ensuring that the weather was perfect for enjoying the impressive skyline, drinks and great food with fellow members and guests on the penthouse veranda.

Again this year, the sponsor for the conference’s opening event was Guidepost Solutions. We cannot thank Guidepost enough for their generosity and continued support of NAFUSA and this well attended event. The opening reception has been one of the highlights of conferences for many years, and this year did not disappoint. The food was beautiful, abundant and delicious, service impeccable, and beverages top shelf. Thanks to the good folks from Guidepost for sponsoring this year’s reception and for joining us at the reception.

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2025 Bradford Award winners Margaret Lynaugh and Brandon Thompson, from the Southern District of New York, presented a review of the case for which they were nominated – the prosecution of Herrera Garcia and three others who operated a fentanyl packaging and distribution facility out of a Bronx daycare.

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Conference attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception in the Willard Hotel’s beautiful Crystal Room before the conference’s closing dinner. This year’s keynote speakers were former Attorney General John Ashcroft and former Deputy Attorney General Larry Thompson, led in a “fireside chat” by incoming NAFUSA president Catherine Hanaway. The two discussed the challenges faced by DOJ employees following the attacks on 9-11. Their remarks were a sobering reminder of that difficult time, but also an inspiring tribute to the work done by DOJ on behalf of the nation.

A definite highlight of the 2025 NAFUSA conference was the hour spent listening to four-time Emmy nominee Jay Bilas, an ESPN college basketball analyst who has repeatedly been named the BEST analyst in college basketball by Sports Illustrated and other sports media. The feedback from many conference attendees was that Bilas more than deserves that accolade, and more than one attendee claimed to have come to D.C. just to hear his presentation.

In a question/answer session with NAFUSA president-elect Tim Purdon, Bilas – a former Duke basketball star and a lawyer – shared his perspective on the changing face of college athletics. The conversation was fast-paced and touched on many of the controversial issues facing college athletes, university sports programs and sports fans. He discussed the impact of NIL (name, imaging and likeness) and the ability of college athletes to change schools through a “portal.” He talked about how the money is divided between the universities themselves, the coaches and athletes, and the impact sports media such as ESPN has on the game, from the perspective of a lawyer and former college athlete. His insightful comments about the impact on, and benefit to, college athletes themselves was perhaps the most thought-provoking part of his presentation, especially when considering the staggering amounts of money paid to many coaches and sports programs based on the performance of these college students. His strong background as a college athlete, sports analyst and lawyer was clear in his ability to give real examples of how the changes in collegiate sports could benefit college athletes as well as create challenges.

Many thanks to Jay Bilas for sharing his time and expertise with NAFUSA members and for his candid and thoughtful responses to Tim’s (and the audience’s) questions. He deserves an Emmy.