The Duke Law Journal’s Administrative Law Symposium strives to produce an annual commentary on each year’s major developments in the field of federal administrative law. The symposium reports and analyzes those developments which are of general significance, presenting in one volume a discussion of current controversial issues which should be of interest both to the infrequent agency practitioner and to the attorney or agency member who desires a cross-agency perspective on those issues.

The theme of this year's conference is the effect of the Internet on agency decision-making. Questions to be addressed by panelists in attendance, a collection of representatives from federal agencies, academic institutions and Internet journalists "bloggers" include: When hundreds of thousands of people submit form comments to an agency, how does that affect Chevron or hard look review? Do e-mail campaigns reflect true grassroots activism in the public comment process, or are they merely "astroturfing?" Can the Internet ameliorate the collective action problem?