The 31st annual Randolph W. Thrower Symposium at Emory University School of Law will explore how legal systems can adapt to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid economic, environmental and technological change. The event is from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 9, in Tull Auditorium at Emory Law.

The symposium, "Innovation for The Modern Era: Law, Policy, and Legal Practice in a Changing World," will focus on who should drive innovation, what policies will encourage it and how it can be harnessed to promote growth and positive change. The event is presented by the Emory Law Journal and Emory University School of Law.

Retired Chief Judge Paul Michel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal District is the keynote speaker. He served 22 years on the court, including five years as chief judge. During his tenure, Michel heard thousands of appeals and wrote more than 800 opinions. He has been named one of the 50 most influential people in the world in intellectual property by Managing Intellectual Property magazine.

Panelists will debate the role of institutions in fostering and disseminating technological innovation; social entrepreneurship and the law; the role of legal policy in promoting social change; innovative lawyering; and legal education and practice for tomorrow’s world.

The Randolph W. Thrower Symposium is an endowed series sponsored by the family of Randolph W. Thrower, Emory College class of 1934, Emory Law class of 1937. It is free and open to the public. Georgia Bar members may register for five hours of general CLE credit for $60. For judges and clerks, CLE credit is free.

Learn more and register at www.law.emory.edu/thrower