Our day begins with keynote speaker, Maxine Bédat, an ethical fashion expert and author of Unraveled: The Life and Death of a Garment, who will lay out the legal and ethical problems of the fast fashion industry.

Our first panel will seek to define the "green consumer" in fashion and beyond. Hilary Jochmans, a leading policy advocate for transparency in the fashion industry, will join Ms. Bedat and Professor Sarah Ku of Loyola University-Chicago for a conversation about "greenwashing" and the relationships between law, business and individual consumer choice.

Next, Bob Langer, a co-author of the leading treatise on the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act (CUTPA) will kick off our second panel with the story of how Connecticut's "Little FTC Act". He is joined by Annie Ugurlayan of BBB National Programs’ National Advertising Division, and Lesley Fair of the Federal Trade Commission.

We are honored to have an afternoon keynote, Attorney General William Tong, who will tell us about current efforts to fight for Connecticut consumers and the environment.

Our final panel will look to the future, exploring ways to promote more transparent, innovative, sustainable, and accountable business practices in the fashion industry and beyond. Moderated by UConn School of Business professor Stephen Park, the conversation will feature perspectives from across business and law, including Ellie Chen and Jensen Neff, founders of the recycled clothing company Oddli; Holly Evans from Microsoft, Aaron Yoon, a professor at Kellogg School of Management specializing in ESG investing; and Maya van Rossum, founder of the movement for state "green amendments."

After the third panel, join us for UConn Dairy Bar ice cream and visit the "Pop-Up Clothing Swap," located in the nearby Davis Courtroom (or outside in the courtyard, weather permitting). Attendees are invited to donate clean, wearable shirts, jackets, dresses, skirts, and hats, and will be able to trade their items for something they spot on the racks. Items will also be available for purchase for $1-$5, with all proceeds going to support the UConn Swap Shop in Storrs. Spearheaded by Madeline Kizer, the Swap Shop opened in a permanent space on the Storrs campus in Fall of 2022, as a place for undergraduates to practice sustainable consumption, learn about upcycling, and take on leadership in running their own small business.

Registration is free for students, faculty, staff and the general public. RSVP by April 17.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the Law School at 860-570-5079 or via email at law.access@uconn.edu at least two weeks in advance.