Annual Alvin B. Rubin Symposium: A Night at the (Courthouse) Opera House
Please join the Eastern District of Louisiana and the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association in conjunction with the New Orleans Opera Association on Thursday, November 18, 2026, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. for the Annual Alvin B. Rubin Symposium: A Night at the (Courthouse) Opera House: A presentation of Scalia/Ginsburg. An Opera by Derrick Wang. This ethics and professionalism program is a living memorial to Judge Alvin Rubin’s contribution to federal jurisprudence and legal scholarship.
A cast of musical talent from the New Orleans area will perform an opera about the unlikely friendship between Justices Scalia and Ginsburg. This opera weaves the actual text of famous majority and dissenting opinions into musical lyrics. The message of the performance is the importance of reaching across the aisle and ideological divide. The narrative highlights how the two fiercely ideological opponents sharpened each other’s legal arguments and maintained a deep, lifelong friendship.The reenactment will be followed by an in-depth panel discussion between United States Fifth Circuit Chief Judge Jennifer Elrod and United States Fifth Circuit Judges James Graves and Stephen Higginson about professionalism from the bench.
This program is offered in partnership with the following organizations:
Bar Association for the Fifth Federal Circuit
Association for Women Attorneys
American Constitution Society
The Federalist Society
The Baton Rouge Chapter of the Federal Bar Association
And Corporate Sponsorships from:
Lineal
Transnology
The program will be followed by a light reception from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
This program is in person only! Once the En Banc Courtroom is full, attendees will be directed to an overflow courtroom.
Approved for 1 Hour of Professionalism and 1 Hour of Ethics CLE Credit.
About the Composer
Derrick Wang is a composer, writer, and consultant providing insights on music and law. As a composer and librettist, he is internationally recognized as the creator of Scalia/Ginsburg, the opera that began an era of increased public awareness of the U.S. Supreme Court. Performed from the United States to Australia, Scalia/Ginsburg is one of the most frequently produced new operas of the past decade.
The Los Angeles Times wrote: “Could we please make it a constitutional requirement that no one can be sworn into office in the White House or Congress without having first seen Scalia/Ginsburg?”
His other works include Fearless, a new musical drama inspired by trailblazing American aviator Hazel Ying Lee and the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War II, and a new completion of the opera Turandot.
As a writer on music and law, his work—described as “a dream come true” (Ruth Bader Ginsburg), “brilliant” (DC Theatre Scene), “engaging” (Wall Street Journal), and “inspiring” (Above the Law)—has been profiled in worldwide media and published with forewords by U.S. Supreme Court Justices.
As a consultant in matters of music and law, he provides insights to lawyers, laypersons, and organizations on topics including forensic musicology, music copyright, and interdisciplinary education. He has presented his findings to leaders in law, education, and government in venues including the U.S. Copyright Office and the Supreme Court of the United States.
A graduate of Harvard and Yale and previously a practicing lawyer named to the Super Lawyers® Rising Stars list, he instructs STEM, humanities, and Peabody Conservatory students at The Johns Hopkins University, where he is the only faculty member teaching distinct courses in the fields of music and law.
