By AALS President Blake D. Morant
“These are challenging times for legal education. Since the Great Recession of 2008, law school applications have declined amidst an increasingly competitive job market for graduates. Stories of doom and gloom about the state of higher education seem to dominate the news, much of that coverage focused on law schools.”
“There is no question, of course, that American legal education—and indeed all of higher education—is challenged. But the news is not as bleak as it appears.”
The AALS Nominating Committee for 2016 Officers and Members of the Executive Committee met at the AALS Office in Washington, D.C. in September to consider nominations from faculty members and deans at AALS member schools. The committee is proud to recommend three individuals whose careers exemplify dedication to teaching, scholarship, and service to AALS and to legal education.
By Kathryn Fanlund
For this edition of “Spotlight on Sections,” AALS talked with the leaders of the Section on Clinical Legal Education to discuss their activities and what they have planned for the AALS Annual Meeting.
By Kathryn Fanlund
AALS also spoke with with the leaders of the Section on Federal Courts for this edition of “Spotlight on Sections.”
By Kathryn Fanlund
AALS spoke with Professor Carle, Chair of the AALS Professional Development Task Force, about professional development programs at the upcoming Annual Meeting and how AALS is working to serve the professional needs of law school faculty at every stage of their career.
AALS President Blake D. Morant, The George Washington Law School, has selected three President’s Programs examining the rule of law and changes to the legal profession for the 2016 Annual Meeting. Details about the upcoming President’s Programs are included.
The Program Committee for the 2016 AALS Annual Meeting invited proposals from law faculty for a variety of open-submission programs to be held at the conference. These included crosscutting programs, which focus on interdisciplinary topics that transcend any one legal field and academy programs, which can cover any topic of academic interest. These selected open-submission programs offer attendees the opportunity to engage with and debate topics at the forefront of legal education and the law.
Hot topic programs at the AALS Annual Meeting highlight important and timely topics on some of society’s most pressing legal issues. These programs were selected by the Program Committee for the AALS 2016 Annual Meeting from proposals submitted by law school faculty.
For the upcoming conference, the AALS Program Committee has selected a program on the topic of violence against women. Four panels will consider pressing issues related to rape, anticipatory self-defense, and punishment. Details of the Violence Against Women Symposium, including the names of speakers and moderators for each session, are listed.